For the approximately 5,000 veterans in the Shawnee area, a new option for health care is finally coming to town.
A U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) outpatient clinic is set to open in the Fall of this year in Shawnee Health Plaza at 3700 N. Kickapoo Ave.
The 5,381-squarefoot clinic will offer primary care, mental health, physical therapy and telehealth, and 12- 15 new jobs will be created to serve patients.
Associate Director of the Oklahoma City VA Health Care System Paul Gregory said, “This clinic will better align the Oklahoma City VA to handle the growth in the area counties.”
“Projected total growth for Pottawatomie, Hughes, Lincoln, Okfuskee, Osage, Pontotoc, and Seminole counties collectively is expected at a 21% growth rate from FY 2021 to FY 2031,” he said.
The Shawnee VA Clinic will eliminate some drive time for veterans.
To the east and southeast of Shawnee, there are VA clinics in Ada and McAlester, but they would take an hour to an hour and a half to reach, respectively, according to Google Maps.
To the west and north of Shawnee, the closest VA clinics are in OKC. The South OKC VA Clinic is 29 miles away with a 27-minute travel time, and the main VA Medical Center is 40 miles away with a 45-minute travel time, Gregory said.
T h e n e w 23,000-square-foot North OKC VA Outpatient Clinic was recently built and will open soon, according to koco.com and okcfox. com. But, located at 14400 Bogert Parkway, it is 51.8 miles and 53 minutes from Shawnee.
“We are dedicated to providing comprehensive and quality care in locations closer to the communities of the veterans we serve,” said Gregory.
“We have increased our outpatient clinic locations throughout Oklahoma, and with the clinic opening in Shawnee in the fall, we will have 17 outpatient clinic locations in our region, in addition to our main medical center in Oklahoma City.”
News of the Shawnee VA Clinic is cause for celebration to many of the veterans and veterans organizations in the area.
Donna Snodgrass, President of the American Legion Auxiliary at Post 260, in Tecumseh, said, “WOW, YES, that would be awesome. Most of the veterans in our area either go to OKC or Tulsa.”
“That’s difficult for many to go that distance, and they have to plan on being at these locations (for) three to sometimes six hours. That’s a long day for me, at 70, so imagine being 80 or 90 trying to do this.”
Richard Filbert, Commander for American Legion Post 16 in Shawnee, said, “The veteran community is excited about having a clinic closer. We have many veterans in Shawnee and the surrounding area that will benefit from having a VA clinic right here in our town.”
“Many have a hard time finding rides to OKC or Midwest City. Having the clinic right here will make that much more accessible for our veterans.”
“We also want to make sure our veterans that are still not in the VA system should come see our service officer, James Vaughn,” he added. “We are currently open Mondays and Wednesdays from 9 am - 12 pm. Need an appointment, call (405)567-9400.”
Don Plumley, VFW Post 1317 Adjutant in Shawnee, said, “I myself welcome the VA clinic in Shawnee. It will be a lot easier for me to go to, instead of trying to arrange transportation to OKC. I have had a few long waits to get appointments, but (the) biggest thing is it will be more accessible.”
Renee Clemmons is an Oklahoma Air National Guard veteran and the executive director of Project Safe in Shawnee, and she sees a need for a VA Clinic in town.
“I do not have personal experience traveling to VA clinics and getting appointments, but my brother-in-law had a heck of a time getting timely appointments and then having to travel several times a month to OKC for them,” said Clemmons.
“There are many veterans living in our area that would absolutely benefit, as not all of them can simply drive themselves and may have to rely on family members, friends, or Sooner Ride to get there.” “Additionally, the
“Additionally, the expense of gas and the time it takes to go to the city make it difficult enough that some veterans may only go if they absolutely have to, instead of engaging in more proactive care. I am excited about the new VA Clinic coming to Shawnee!”
