Noteboom The Law Firm

Jacksonville Getting New VA Medical Clinic

November 18, 2010 - In 2003 the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Clinic near Jacksonville existed in a single building. Ten years later, an influx of veterans to the area forced expansion into 3 more buildings. Yet another influx of veterans has forced the clinic to grow into new facilities. When the new clinic near Shands opens in 2012, the medical clinic will be back to consisting of only two buildings. The new VA medical clinic will absorb all the other clinics with the only satellite clinic remaining at 6900 Southpoint Drive North, in Jacksonville.

The 2 story Jacksonville VA clinic will cover 10 acres, cost $35 million, and offer 135,000 square feet of space. The added space and other improvements will lead to the clinic being able to provide extended services to their patients. The clinic will house new equipment and offer an expansive list of services to their patients.

While not a comprehensive listing of what will be available, the clinic services will include: 

• Increased services for female veterans;
• Cardiology;
• Mental health counseling;
• Inpatient surgery capabilities to include radiology;
• Dental;
• Rehabilitation and prosthetics; and
• Orthopedics.

There are just under 150,000 veterans in the Jacksonville area, and the amount of veterans needing VA services has been steadily growing over the last few years. Because veterans are still returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, these numbers will continue to rise. As Vietnam veterans continue to age, they will require more care as well. The new Jacksonville VA clinic will apparently be opening just in time to deal with these growing demands.