Members from Blanchfield Army Community Hospital (BACH) and the Veterans Affairs Department cut the ribbon on a Veterans Affairs Clinic set to expand the healthcare provided to former members of the military on Friday.
The clinic is located at BACH and was formed through a partnership between the hospital and the Tennessee Valley Health System. But before the ribbon was cut those who helped turn the clinic into a reality spoke about what the facility will provide and how they plan to expand healthcare resources for veterans.
BACH Commander Samuel Preston says the clinic is the beginning of a partnership between Fort Campbell and the Tennessee Valley Health System to expand services for veterans in the area. Preston says they plan to expand dental, pain management and behavioral health services.
Shereef Elnahal the Under Secretary of Health for Veterans Affairs highlights the importance of the location of the clinic, because in Montgomery County there are around 32,000 veterans who call the area home and will now be able to receive care closer to home.
Along with the additional clinic location for veterans, Elnahal also shared that recently the VA has expanded the help they can offer veterans. Elnahal says they have expanded care to veterans regarding disabilities that are not service related.
Daniel Dücker the Executive Director of VA Tennessee Valley Health Care shared that the clinic has already been seeing patients and so far, he has heard great feedback from the patients.
According to a news release from Fort Campbell nearly 3,000 veterans will receive health care from VA staff at this facility which includes primary care, mental health, and laboratory services.