Quick Poll

With Friday's announcement of her show coming to an end in 2011, has the Oprah Winfrey Show been a television 'must see' for you in the past 25 years?

Blogs

Angela McRae

Tea with friends

Deberah Williams

Everyday Finesse

Lorrie Lynch

Who's News

Published Saturday, November 07, 2009 in Local

Va clinic 'great place' says veteran of Vietnam

By Alex McRae

The Times-Herald

Hundreds of veterans, family members, loved ones and officials of the Office of Veterans Affairs gathered in Newnan Friday as grand opening ceremonies were held for Georgia's newest VA Community-based Outpatient Clinic.

The new facility, located in the Oak Hill Professional Park, off Highway 34 east near Sullivan Road, started seeing patients Sept. 28. Some of those new patients were on hand for the celebration.

Vietnam veteran J.D. Vincent has already had two appointments at the new VA clinic and is scheduled for a third next week. Vincent had nothing but good words for the facility, staff and services offered.

"It's a great place," Vincent said, "I was surprised at how big it is. And the people have been great. It's a wonderful addition for our veterans."

Vincent had EKGs performed on site and was impressed that eye tests for glaucoma were able to be electronically transmitted immediately to a larger VA facility to be evaluated.

"They can do a lot more here than at some other clinics, " he said. "I'm really impressed."

World War II veteran Don Lindstrom moved to Newnan three and a half years ago from Pensacola, Fla. Since Lindstrom has so many friends in Pensacola and because the VA facilities were so good there, he kept returning to Pensacola for medical care. He says he is ready to try the Newnan clinic.

"Pensacola is a military town so they have really good patient care, and I kept going back because I was treated so well," he said. "I wanted to get in an Atlanta program but haven't so far. But I'm going to give this clinic a try."

Clinic manager Ken Friday said he has been pleased with early patient turnout and that staff is being increased already to handle the patient load. The clinic opened with just one physician on staff but Friday said a second physician will begin work Monday and a physician's assistant (PA) will arrive the next Monday.

"We've really had a good response," Friday said. "And Newnan is a great place so I'm sure lots more veterans will be coming as soon as they hear about it. We want to be ready for them."

James Clark, director of the Atlanta Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Atlanta was on hand and said he was thrilled to see a new VA facility opening in Newnan.

"Health care is local," Clark said. "We need to be close to the people we serve. We will keep adding services as needed and are dedicated to giving every veteran we see the best quality care."

Greg Kendall, public information officer of the Atlanta VA Medical Center said, "It's a good day for Newnan. We are always trying to improve services for our veterans, and this will help us do just that. We are proud and happy to see this come to pass."

Prior to the ribbon-cutting, a program was presented in a tent erected just outside the new 10,000 square foot clinic. The event was emceed by Second Lieutenant Jennifer Moore, who joined the Georgia Army National Guard six years ago and recently completed officer's training an earned a commission.

Moore is an official of Tomco Construction, which built the Newnan clinic. Moore served in Operation Iraqi Freedom as an enlisted soldier and said she will be deployed overseas again next year.

"As a veteran I can't tell you how proud and happy I am to have this facility right here where I live," she said. "I'm also honored I had a hand in building it. This clinic is a welcome addition for all our veterans."

After the colors were presented by the Atlanta VA Police Honor Guard, Pete Wheeler, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Veterans Services led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag, and the National Anthem was sung by Isa Gutierrez, a student at Heritage School.

Atlanta VA Medical Chaplain Tommy Thompson gave the invocation and several speakers gave remarks.

Georgia Third District Congressman Lynn Westmoreland was scheduled to attend but had to remain in Washington for an expected vote on a house health care reform bill. Westmoreland was represented by spokesman John Stacy, a Marine Corps veteran.

Stacy expressed Westmoreland's happiness the new clinic was finally open and after thanking event organizers, Stacy paid tributes to all veterans and praised the new facility.

"Our veterans served us proudly and well, and I know we are all proud to have this facility right here in Newnan," Stacy said.

Newnan Mayor Keith Brady paid tribute to veterans and their guests. He said, "Because of their service they deserve this facility and every other benefit they have earned. I'm glad to be a part of this."

Wheeler, who has worked with the VA since 1949, said he was proud of the continued efforts made to serve all veterans and that he was glad to be part of the VA's efforts.

"These veterans sacrificed greatly to keep us safe and free," Wheeler said. "Because of them we live in the greatest country in the history of the world. They remind us of those sacrifices, and today we thank them and give thanks to Almighty God for all our blessings."

A musical selection, "What can you say to a hero," was performed by Heritage School student Molly Carter. The Heritage students who performed were both taught by Heritage music teacher Doug Kees, who was also on hand and performed on guitar.

Lawrence Biro, director of the VA Southeast Network, said how pleased he was with the new facility and noted that new VA medical facilities were planned for Blairsville, Ga., and other areas along I-85 south of Newnan, including Opelika, Ala.

Biro also thanked the public and private donors who helped fund VA operations, noting that a single donor gave $16 million to the VA this year.

He also thanked elected officials for their advocacy of the VA program. Biro said the VA's goal was threefold: "To provide care second to none, to continue to maintain and expand services and to insure that every veteran was personally satisfied based on the outcome of their treatment."

Following the program, guests toured the facility and enjoyed a catered buffet.