Community-Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) provide Veterans with health care services that are closer to their homes. To improve access, the VA MidSouth Healthcare Network (VISN 9) has current and planned expansions of CBOCs within the service areas of its seven medical centers located in Tennessee, Kentucky and West Virginia. In 2009, several clinics were added to assist Veterans who live in the rural areas surrounding our medical centers.
More locations, more care
The Lexington VA Medical Center (VAMC) began the year by opening a new CBOC in Berea. In November 2009, the clinic in Somerset moved to a new and more spacious location. At year’s end, all of the primary care clinics were relocated from
the Cooper Division to the Leestown Division to consolidate services.
The Memphis VAMC opened CBOCs in Jackson, Bolivar and Dyersburg, Tenn., as well as Helena, Ark., bringing the total number of clinics to 10, with 14 individual points of care. “We’re very excited about these improvements,” says Donna Savoy, CBOC administrator at the Memphis VAMC.
The Louisville VAMC operates eight CBOCs. Year-end reports for 2009 show an increase in the number of Veterans seeking care
at all clinics.
At the Tennessee Valley Healthcare System (TVHS), the addition of clinics in Christian County (Hopkinsville), Ky., and
Warren County (McMinnville), Tenn., as well as four slated for 2010, will increase the number of CBOCs to 14. Roane County will be the site of the first new facility. Others in Giles, Maury and McMinn counties will follow. “These new clinics will reduce travel times,” says Peter Torok, M.D., CBOC coordinator at the James H. Quillen (Mountain Home) VAMC. “When a Veteran
walks into one of our clinics, it’s no different than walking into one of our medical centers. He or she will receive the same quality of care,” says Wesley Moore, M.D., chief of primary care at TVHS.
The Mountain Home CBOCs in Bristol and Norton, Va., will open rural outreach clinics this year. Bristol’s clinic will be located in Marion, while Norton’s clinics will open in Vansant and Jonesville. Staff members in these facilities are expected to care for an additional 900 Veterans. In 2010, the Huntington VAMC plans to expand its CBOC in Charleston, W.Va., and open a new rural health outreach clinic in Gallia County, Ohio.
Expanded options for you!
For information about the new and planned Community-Based Outpatient Clinics throughout VISN 9, visit www.visn9.va.gov..
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