Potter County Partnering With VA To Open Local Vets’ Clinic
2 min readPotter County Veterans will soon have a much shorter drive – New VA Clinic to open on Rt. 872
Area military veterans requiring health care will be able to access VA services closer to home, through an arrangement worked out between the Potter County Commissioners and the Bath (N.Y.) VA Medical Center. A primary care office and outreach center for veterans will be opening next month at the county’s Maple View property, off Rt. 872 between Coudersport and Austin, in the former Department of Emergency Services offices.
“We’re fortunate to be able to locate a VA care facility right here in Potter County,” said Doug Morley, chairman of the Board of Commissioners. “This has been an ongoing effort for years and is the result of a great deal of cooperation and teamwork.” Director of Veterans Affairs Lenny Kalkbrenner and his predecessor, the late Joe Becker, established a strong rapport with the Bath VA Medical Center, in an effort to bring a clinic to a centralized location to serve Potter County veterans. This will, in many cases, allow veterans who are eligible for VA services to avoid the long drive to Bath.
Bath VA Medical Center Director David J. West said the clinic will initially be open one day per week and staffed by VA personnel. “We look forward to having a presence in the community and supplementing the health care services provided for Potter County veterans,” West said. “We are pleased to join county officials and community health care providers, such as Charles Cole Memorial Hospital, in ensuring that veterans receive the highest quality care.”
Any veteran interested in learning more about VA health care services can call, toll-free, 1-877-845-3247.
