VA To Open Veterans Rural Health Extension Clinic In Waycross

Congressman Jack Kingston (R-Savannah) announced on Sept. 10 that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will establish a Rural Health Extension Clinic in Waycross. The facility, which is one of the first in the nation, will bring health care to area veterans and develop technologies to be implemented nationwide.

The North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System, which will operate the clinic in Waycross, has been a leader in developing ways to improve the accessibility and quality of health care for Veterans in rural areas. Serving more than 87,000 veterans, it has been selected as the Veterans Rural Health Resource Center, Eastern Region, and has received $6 million to expand rural health care in its region. That funding will provide for the Waycross clinic among other initiatives being planned.

Multi-disciplinary teams of VA medical staff are working to develop innovative methods to utilize in the rural facilities such as tele-health technology; home based comprehensive care such as rehabilitation services, and improved transportation services to increase access for veterans.

Some rural health initiatives already underway at the Lake City VA Medical Center include the Visual Impairment Center to Optimize Remaining Sight (VICTORS) program, which provides low vision rehabilitation to help veterans maximize their functional vision and increase their independence. There is also a comprehensive care clinic for veterans with multiple sclerosis (MS) or spinal cord injury (SCI).