VA clinic in Imperial County holds ribbon-cutting ceremony

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) - A new Veterans Affairs (VA) clinic in Imperial County held a ribbon-cutting ceremony in El Centro Monday.

Veterans, healthcare workers and elected officials gathered at the new upgraded outpatient VA clinic, located at 1501 W. Main Street, at 10 a.m.

The clinic is part of the VA San Diego Healthcare System, and has new exam rooms and telecare services.

"The clinic represents an important investment for our Veterans. It will provide expanded access to care closer to home for veterans throughout this Imperial County. The men and women who have served our country deserve this type of quality care," said El Centro Mayor Michael Crankshaw.

Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Peggy Price noted that Veterans no longer have to travel out of the county to receive specialty services.

"It's an opportunity to expand services such as mental health services here at this clinic and even our homeless voucher program," Chairwoman Price explained. "We'd like to see those increased and more importantly is the specialty services so that our veterans do not have to travel to other counties, other states for services outside of Imperial County."

The opening came on the heels of a major milestone for Veterans services.

"It's also the 80th birthday of the Veterans Health Administration...This anniversary reminds us of eight decades of unwavering dedication to those who have served and inspired continued commitment to transforming the way that we provide care for our Veterans," said Walt Danneberg, Director of Health Services.

The new clinic brings services like mental health, lab work and radiology.