DURHAM – Enhancing access to health care by locating outpatient clinics close to Veterans in their communities is a key goal for the Department of Veterans Affairs.  In keeping with that priority, the VA Mid-Atlantic Health Care Network (VISN 6) and the Charles George VA Medical Center (VAMC) in Asheville are pleased to announce that a site has been selected for the establishment of a Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) in Rutherford County, NC.

 

The clinic will be located at 374 Charlotte Road in Rutherfordton in the Rutherford Square Shopping Center.  An agreement has been reached for VA to lease space within the mall where CVS Pharmacy was previously located.  When completed, the facility will provide clinic space of approximately 6,500 square feet.

 

The clinic will provide Primary Care and general Mental Health services to Veterans from Rutherford, Cleveland and Polk counties.  VA estimates that about 17,000 Veterans reside in this service area.  It is estimated approximately 3,600 Veterans may seek care at the Rutherford County Clinic.

The Clinic is scheduled to be operational by the fall of 2009.  Management and staffing of the Rutherford County CBOC will be the responsibility of the Charles George VAMC.

“We are excited about the opportunity to take the next step in establishing outpatient services in Rutherford County to improve access to health care for our Veterans residing in south western North Carolina,” stated,  Daniel F. Hoffmann, FACHE, Network Director, Mid-Atlantic Healthcare Network. 

 

Veterans currently enrolled at the Charles George VAMC in Asheville who live in close proximity to the Rutherford County Clinic will be given priority for care at the new facility.  The VAMC will also review its list of Veterans currently enrolled that may benefit from assignment as a patient at the clinic.  The medical center will inform those Veterans of that option. 

Charles George VA Medical Center (VAMC) in Asheville is one of eight major facilities within the Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN 6), located in Durham, NC.  In 2008, this network provided care to approximately 318,000 Veterans across North Carolina, Virginia and parts of West Virginia. 

Charles George VAMC currently operates one other outpatient clinic in Franklin, NC, located approximately one and one-half hours west of the medical center.  The Franklin clinic opened in August 2008.

 

Veterans who are interested in receiving care at the Rutherford County Clinic may register at the Charles George VAMC, on-line at:  www.va.gov or www.asheville.va.gov or contact the VAMC Eligibility Office at (828) 299-2509.  Questions specifically about the Charles George VAMC or the Rutherford County Clinic may be referred to Jerry Thomas, VAMC Public Affairs Officer, at (828) 296-4446.  For more information on VISN 6 contact Darlene Edwards at (804) 675-5242.