Veterans outpatient clinic breaks ground in Fortuna Foothills

FORTUNA FOOTHILLS, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - Onvida Health and the Southern Arizona Veterans Affairs Health Care System broke ground this morning on a new outpatient clinic in the Fortuna Foothills. Local and state leaders, veterans, and community members gathered to mark the start of the long-anticipated project that is scheduled to open in the summer of 2027.

Arizona State Senator Tim Dunn highlighted the importance of the new clinic for the region’s veteran population, saying, “Onvida is stepping up to serve those veterans who stepped-up to serve our country and providing healthcare for them, right here in Yuma County.”

The project includes a dedicated 30,000-square-foot outpatient facility that has been more than two years in the making. The planning process focused on ensuring the clinic would meet the specific needs of veterans and provide a high-quality healthcare experience. Onvida Health President and CEO Robert Trenschel said veterans were directly involved in shaping the facility from the beginning.

“This was designed, really, by veterans,” Trenschel said. “So, when we were building this, when we were designing this, we got veteran groups together to say 'what do you want in your facility.' We’re just excited to be able to provide a facility for veterans that provides them the dignity and clinical care that they so well deserve.”

The clinic is expected to significantly expand healthcare services available to veterans in Yuma County. Brenda Smith, quartermaster and chaplain for VFW Post 1763, emphasized the impact of the project, saying, “We’re getting this huge facility here on this property and the services are expanding. The types of care are expanding.”

Southern Arizona VA Health Care System Interim Director Maria Nguyen said the timing of the clinic’s opening will allow for a broad range of services, adding, “It’s gonna be perfect timing to offer primary care services, audiology, path and lab, even more potential for women’s health services.”

Leaders also stressed that the new clinic will reduce the burden of travel for veterans who currently must leave the area for care.

Smith said, “It’s gonna save veterans so much time and effort and stress going to Tucson or Phoenix to get their care.”

Senator Dunn added that the clinic will allow veterans to remain close to home, saying, “We know that when people are here, serving in the military, they know when they retire, they can come back here and have those veteran services right here where they live, so they don’t have to go out of town.”