A Veterans Administration clinic is expected to open this spring at the Family Physicians building at 1408 East St.
The Iola VA clinic will absorb three other clinics — in Chanute, Garnett and Fort Scott — and offer a greater variety of services.
The other entities that use the building, including the primary care group, will remain at the facility. The VA clinic will move into the clinic space, while the physicians group will move to the north side of the building. A dermatology clinic and pharmacy will remain at their current locations.
Veterans can receive numerous services at the clinic, including primary care, behavioral and social health care, and women’s services.
The number of female veterans is growing, which means their needs for health care through the VA system also is increasing, Yolanda Quintero, community-based outpatient clinic administrator, said.
The clinic will have laboratory services available five days a week, including vaccinations.
Additional services include home-based care, where nurses can meet with veterans who are unable to travel.
Telehealth services also are available; veterans can come to the office to receive audiology, vision and other services through the VA’s medical center in Topeka.
“We’re going to be able to offer these services to veterans more quickly” by opening the Iola clinic, Quintero said.
THE IOLA CLINIC provides 5,200 square-feet of space for VA services.
That’s significantly larger than those currently in operation: Fort Scott has 1,700 square feet, Garnett has 1,900 and Chanute, 1,200. Those clinics will close.
The new space will need some remodeling, but is tentatively expected to open in May 2024. Architect drawings are being finalized before construction begins.
“The advantage of going into an existing building is we’re able to open our clinic sooner rather than later,” Quintero said.
The VA looked at several sites around the area and considered building a new structure before agreeing to a 10-year lease for the clinic space. The new location is conveniently located on U.S. 54 and about half a mile from the U.S. 169 interchange.
Currently, 856 veterans utilize the three clinics. Veterans can choose where they receive health care. Quintero expects most will choose to go to the Iola clinic.
