St. Joseph Veterans Affairs opens new clinic

By Leah Rainwater

The new St. Joseph Veterans Affairs Clinic opened to the public on Monday at its location on 4782 Sienna Drive.

The new building features additional exam rooms, a room for physical therapy and access to a Chiropractor.

With the additional rooms, comes the expansion for more services offered, some of which include same-day Women’s Health and Substance-Use Disorder services and expanded Telehealth services to ensure more convenient access to specialty care.

“We’re excited because, looking to the future, we’re postured now to continue meeting those needs, whether its the veterans now, or the ones that will continue to serve continue to serve, and that, just around the corner…That will be seeking care from us,” said Wes Hoyt, the associate director and chief operating officer for the Eastern Kansas VA Healthcare System.

Hoyt said the VA has also had an exciting year, with the St. Joseph clinic location being the fourth opening for the region.

“It’s phenomenal because we have grown to meet the needs of the veterans that live in this community, as well as the communities down in Iowa and Junction City and even Leavenworth,” said Hoyt.

When asked about a specific goal Hoyt hopes the facility fosters, as it continues to serve those who served, he said, “Trust.”

”It’s the trust that starts when we volunteer to serve our nation and whatever that holds for us,” said Hoyt. “It’s continuing that service. And when we transition to the VA and start getting our care, you know, as an Army retiree, I can tell you 30 years of service…There’s a lot that you put your body through…And so the VA helps us fulfill that promise that the nation has made to us. As a veteran who gets care from the VA, it’s the trust factor that means the most to mean, being there for our veterans where they need us, when they need us.”

Hoyt said the new facility is designed to be flexible enough to specifically care for veterans through the coming years.