The Veterans Affairs clinic held its grand opening ceremony Sept. 16.[/caption]
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs hosted a grand opening ceremony Sept. 16 for a new speciality clinic at 3804 W. 15th St. in Plano.
The VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic is equipped to serve approximately 6,000 veterans per year and provides primary care, mental health, telemedicine, laboratory and X-ray services.
U.S. Rep. Sam Johnson, R-Plano, advocated for the clinic for several years to 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. In the past, patients have had to travel to the Dallas VA Medical Center or the Sam Rayburn Memorial Veterans Center in Bonham for treatment.
The grand opening ceremony was 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 health care they want, need and deserve.”
The Veterans Center of North Texas opened in Plano last year to serve area veterans. Originally a home-based operation, the all-volunteer organization helps veterans navigate the network of agencies to receive assistance. Services include employment help, legal assistance, providing aid for those who have a loved one in need of adult day care supervision, or any other personal issues.
The center is staffed predominately by veterans, and referral services are provided without charge. Like the VA, the center opened in Plano to provide increased outreach to North Texas veterans, said Pete Young, volunteer operations manager for the Veterans Center of North Texas.
“Anything that makes the process simpler, fast and easier for veterans to get help will be a good thing,” Young said. “Anything that helps these vets get the medical care they need, we are in support of.”
