Okaloosa County (April 28, 2008) - VA’s Eglin outpatient clinic gets big sendoff
The facility just outside Eglin’s West Gate opens for business at 8 a.m. Monday
By MLADEN RUDMAN
EGLIN AFB — Cane in hand, Fort Walton Beach’s Jim Fuller surveyed the new facility he plans to use regularly.
The disabled Vietnam War veteran with bone cancer attended the grand opening Friday of the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Eglin Community-based Outpatient Clinic.
“My first impressions are very, very good,” he said. “Everything is well designed. … It should have been here years ago.”
Fuller, 71, plans to use the clinic’s pharmacy for medicines he needs to help cope with the cancer.
Earlier, scores of people gathered outside the main entrance to hear brief speeches and watch the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The clinic, which is near Eglin Air Force Base’s West Gate, opens for business at 8 a.m. Monday.
The clinic and nearby Eglin Regional Hospital will share some staff and equipment to reduce costs and wait times.
Maj. Gen. David Eidsaune, commander of the Air Armament Center at Eglin, said the cooperative agreement between VA and the base was a benchmark that could serve as a model for similar arrangements elsewhere.
He added that the clinic was badly needed.
“I know this clinic with its dedicated staff will provide exceptional service to veterans for years to come,” said Eidsaune.
U.S. Rep. Jeff Miller, who has been credited with helping get the clinic built, thanked the builders and the facility’s staff. He also had glowing words for the men and women who will use it.
“To those of you who have served the nation so well, we will never be able to thank you enough,” said Miller, R-Chumuckla.
The guest speaker was Albert H. Linden Jr., adjutant for the Disabled American Veterans Department of Florida.
Linden, a Vietnam War helicopter pilot who lost his lower right leg to a machine gun bullet during a combat mission, had America’s most recent veterans on his mind.
“This clinic is really needed as we wage war on two fronts,” said the decorated veteran.
The $5.5 million, 16,700-square-foot clinic will offer primary medical care, mental health services, laboratory work, a small pharmacy and nutrition assistance. It’s open to veterans accepted as VA beneficiaries.
David Reid of DeFuniak Springs found much more to like than dislike about the clinic.
The fully disabled veteran said his wife, who’s insured by VA’s Civilian Health and Medical Program, cannot use the facility, which means long drives to get care.
But Reid won’t have to go far for his basic medical needs or as a volunteer driver for other disabled veterans who need rides to VA appointments.
“I’m really impressed,” he said of the spacious clinic. “Mostly because we’ve had to travel to Pensacola or Panama City or Biloxi (Miss.). This makes it a lot closer.”
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