WORCESTER — The Veterans Affairs’ Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System and UMass Chan Medical School kicked off the week of Veterans Day by hosting a ribbon-cutting ceremony, Nov. 8, to celebrate the opening of a new 48,000-square-foot VA clinic located on the medical school’s campus. The clinic will provide Veterans with access to primary and specialty health care in a brand-new space designed for patient-aligned care teams.
U.S. Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough traveled from Washington, D.C., for the opening of the new clinic, along with state lawmakers, city leaders, local Veterans and distinguished guests.
“Millions of Veterans have risked their lives… All of us are the beneficiaries of the blessings and opportunities they provided and sometimes at terrible costs,” said VA Secretary McDonough, who noted that the clinic will occupy the first and second floors. “President Biden often says our most sacred job is to prepare and equip the troops we send into harm’s way, and to care for them and their families when they return home. That’s the promise: You take care of us; we take care of you. You fight for us; we fight for you.
“Thanks to everyone who kept pushing this project to completion; it’s been a long road, but it’s taken us to a destination worth reaching.”
The new VA outpatient clinic will support a growing population of veterans in the region and support physician training at UMass Chan. The new clinic includes 65 exam, consultation and procedure rooms designed for patient-aligned care teams and brings together under one roof primary care and mental health providers along with specialists.
“This state-of-the-art facility will increase access to primary care, mental health services, and other specialty healthcare for veterans across the region,” said Congressman Jim McGovern. “As America prepares to celebrate Veterans Day, we must honor those who wore the uniform of the United States with action as well as words. That is what this new clinic is about. It will not only improve health care outcomes for our veterans — it will help make sure a new generation of medical professionals are equipped to understand and deal with the unique challenges veterans face.”
The new clinic marks the second time in recent years that the VA Central Western Mass. has expanded its care in Worcester.
The clinic is the result of multi-year efforts by VA, UMass Chan, legislative and civic leaders — particularly Congressman McGovern; as well as bipartisan support from the administrations of Gov. Charlie Baker, former Gov. Deval Patrick; and numerous officials in the Massachusetts Legislature.