JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Veterans in Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia have a new option for healthcare.
Officials cut the ribbon at the Jacksonville North VA Clinic on Heron Bay Road near Jacksonville International Airport on Tuesday.
“After high school, I was drafted into the army and I went to Korea for my service," said Army Veteran Steve Walker.
When Walker retired in 1999, the decades of service to the country had taken their toll.
He regularly finds himself hiking down to the VA clinics on Jefferson Street and University Boulevard, but with a brand new one opening on the Northside, he won’t be putting quite as many miles into getting his primary care.
“When they first come out with that they were going to build a VA Clinic up here, I was all for it. It’s right in my backyard," said Walker.
The new clinic has 100 patient care rooms, a walk-in clinic, lab, physical therapy gym and imaging.
“We have vets come from a long way just to get here," said U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough. "That’s why we wanted to make sure this provides full service to those veterans.”
The Jacksonville North VA Clinic also has 30 beds for veterans to receive longer-term care for things like substance abuse, homelessness and mental health issues.
“Veterans can get access to care while they’re wrestling through substance abuse disorder, is exactly what this market needs," said McDonough.
McDonough said there is still work to be done even after opening the new facility.
He’s looking to add more clinics for veterans in Southeast Georgia, as well as possibly a VA hospital in Jacksonville – the nearest ones are in Gainesville and Lake City.
For some veterans, it’s not just the services that bring them to the VA – it’s the people.
“When they opened the doors, I saw three smiling ladies welcoming me, coming on in," said Vietnam Veteran Joseph Tate. "That’s all I have to say. I’m glad to be here.”
The primary care building is open now, and the domiciliary where they will have living space for veterans receiving care will open in the next few weeks.