District 3 U.S. Rep. Sam Johnson, R-Plano, announced today that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ new specialty clinic in Plano will host a grand opening ceremony Sept. 16. Located at 3804 W. 15th St., the VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic will be equipped to serve approximately 6,000 veterans per year and provide primary care, mental health, telemedicine, laboratory and X-ray services.

Johnson has been advocating for the clinic for several years to help offset the growing demand for veterans services in Collin County. The VA approved the project in October, and it was originally expected to open in the spring. Currently, patients must travel to the Dallas VA Medical Center or the Sam Rayburn Memorial Veterans Center in Bonham for treatment.

The grand opening ceremony is a small but tangible way for the community to thank its neighbors for their service and sacrifice while serving in the armed forces, Johnson said in a news release.

“Many North Texas veterans and their families have been eagerly awaiting the opening of Plano’s new VA clinic since its location was announced last fall,” he said.  “This clinic has been a long time coming and after years of working behind the scenes to see it established, I’m thrilled that this clinic is already helping our hometown heroes receive more efficient access to the healthcare they want, need, and deserve.”

Johnson is also extending the nomination deadline for his annual Congressional Veteran Commendation Award to the day of the grand opening. Honorees will be recognized at a local ceremony in December. Nomination forms are available online and should be mailed or hand-delivered to Johnson’s Plano office at 1255 W 15th St., Ste. 170.