Published: July 02, 2008 07:53 am      

New veterans clinic opens at Doctors Park

By TESA CULLI

tesa.culli@register-news.com

MT. VERNON — The very first outpatient veterans clinic in the nation opened in a basement office at Doctors Park in Mt. Vernon in 1997.

Today, community-based outpatient clinics have spread throughout the nation, and the first one has moved to a new facility on North Water Tower Place.

“The facility started with four staff members and was the first CBOC in the nation with 100 patients,” Marion Veterans Affairs Health Care Center acting administrator Warren Hill said. “Now it offers primary care and mental health services to more than 2,500 veterans who receive care right here.”

The new facility for the clinic, which was housed in a small area beneath the Jefferson County Health Department for years, was announced in September 2007. The former office, which opened March 7, 1997, was in 2,800 square feet of space and included three exam rooms, two offices and a treatment room.

The new clinic almost triples the space at more than 6,000 square feet. It has nine primary care exam rooms, four mental health rooms, a lab and EKG room, a conference and education room and an on-site office for the Illinois State Veterans Service officer. The staff has been increased to 16 full- and part-time employees.

“This facility shows how our community can affect a nation in a positive way,” U.S. Rep. John Shimkus said. “When this clinic first opened, it was being used on weekends by the Illinois National Guard. The Veterans Administration went to them and asked to use the facility during the week. It was an experiment that proved to be a success. ... This model is now growing throughout the country ... to our nation’s benefit and veterans’ benefit.”

Mt. Vernon Mayor Mary Jane Chesley said the expansion was exciting, especially as a historical event.

“When people live, they create what I call a book of life,” Chesley said. “The chapters are the activities they participate in and the things they do with their life. ... I believe one of the greatest chapters a person can have is one of service to their country, especially at a time of need. And one of the greatest chapters in Mt. Vernon’s history is this clinic and providing for our veterans at a time of their medical need.”

Patients are being seen at the new clinic, which is located at 4101 N. Water Tower Place.