FORT RUCKER, Ala. -- Veterans in need of care in the Wiregrass area no longer have to drive to Montgomery, Ala., for treatment.
Central Alabama Veterans Health Care System opened the Wiregrass Community Based Outpatient Clinic in Lyster Army Health Clinic during a ceremony Sept. 3.
Several veterans, CAVHCS, state and local officials attended the opening. They expressed their enthusiasm about the new clinic and what it means for the veterans in the Wiregrass.
"This is fantastic," said retired U.S. Air Force Sgt. Connie Hudson. "We've needed this for a long time now and it's so great to finally have it here."
Hudson, like many veterans in the Wiregrass area, needed to drive more than 100 miles to Montgomery or Tuskegee, Ala., in order to receive health care from the Veterans Affairs Hospital there. Now, those days could be over for good.
"This is such a great opportunity for Fort Rucker and CAVHCS to provide high-quality care to local veterans," said Ken Prier, Disabled American Veterans Chapter 9 in Enterprise commander. "This will definitely strengthen the bond between the post and the community. Having this here and supported by the (Department of Defense) is an idea thats time has come."
"We'll miss you in Montgomery, but we're still very glad that you'll be able to receive top-level care closer to home," Congressman Bobby Bright, D-Ala., told the group of veterans during the opening ceremony. "Fort Rucker is a very important part of this community and I hope this new clinic will help it become even more prominent."
Mark Anderson, VA Southeast Network deputy director, said patients of the new clinic can expect a high level of care at the CBOC.
"This place will provide care that's second to none," he said. "Our goal is to maintain and expand healthcare for all our veterans."
In August 2008, CAVHCS and Lyster Army Health Clinic received Joint Incentive Fund approval to support construction and rehab of the clinic's second floor.
The project began in 2009 and was completed by the Army Corps of Engineers in June.
Planned expansion of services at the newly-opened clinic include primary care, mental health, MRI/CT and audiology with plans for sleep study screenings and dental in the works, according to a release from the CAVHCS.
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