“We saw several primary care, mental health and audiology patients today,” Bruton said late Monday afternoon. “When the clinic opened at 8 a.m. this morning, we already had people waiting. We expect a nice, steady flow of patients all week.”
“I did a full hearing evaluation and saw three vets who were here to have their hearing aids repaired or replaced,” said Rebecca McWhorter, Doctor of Audiology.
While Monday was the first day that the outpatient clinic saw patients, the community living center, which will provide long-term rehabilitation, has not opened yet.
A ribbon cutting ceremony and public open house for the center will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, with a reception to follow.
The center is located at 180 Martin Drive, Carrollton, just off Bankhead Highway, near Kmart.
“The keynote speaker for the ceremony will be the Under Secretary for Health of the Department of Veterans Affairs Dr. Robert A. Petzel,” said Greg Kendall, VA public affairs officer. “Pete Wheeler, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Veteran Services, will lead the pledge.”
Other events on the agenda include a presentation of colors by the Carrollton High School color guard and a rifle demonstration by the Carrollton High rifle team.
“After the ceremonies, people will have an opportunity to tour the new facilities and a reception will follow,” Kendall said.
The Trinka Davis Foundation transferred the property deed to the VA on Aug. 16 and the VA has been busy since then moving furniture and equipment into the building in preparation for opening.
The center was built from funds from the foundation established by the late Katherine “Trinka” Davis, a Carroll County business leader who wanted to provide assistance to veterans.
Outpatient services offered in the 25,000-square-foot clinic include primary care, home-based primary care, mental health, physical and occupational therapy, vision, dental, podiatry, audiology and other specialties from visiting medical specialists and tele-medicine through the latest technology in video teleconferencing, according to Bruton.
The Georgia Department of Veteran Services will also have an office in the clinic to assist veterans.
Bruton said earlier this year that the Atlanta VA had identified patients enrolled in the Atlanta system who currently live within driving distance of the Carrollton clinic.
“Patients in the local commuting area should be receiving letters in the mail from the VA,” he said.
The 42-bed community living center, which is due to open in the near future, will provide veterans needing inpatient rehabilitation with private rooms in a home-like atmosphere, including kitchen, laundry areas, fitness room, celebration room and courtyard areas.
Bruton said earlier this year that about 3,000 veterans are anticipated to use the primary care services at the Carrollton clinic.
He said patients wanting to sign up for VA services or needing information, can visit the clinic on weekdays, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The phone number at the Carrollton center to call for information is 404-321-6111, extension 2656 or 2657.
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