04/01/13 Congresswoman Jackie Walorski (IN-02), a member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, today toured the VA’s new Community Based Outpatient Clinic in South Bend. Hosted by VA Northern Indiana Chief of Staff Ajay Dhawan, Ambulatory Care Solutions CEO John Earnest and Executive Director Thomas Merry, Walorski received a complete tour of the facility and spoke with health administrators and staff about the pressing challenges facing the VA and veteran’s health care.
“With over 53,000 Hoosier veterans in the Second District, it is critical that Congress works closely with the VA and health care clinics to deliver efficient services to those who deserve it most,” said Walorski. “I am proud to have such a dynamic health center right here in South Bend, and look forward to improving health care options and reducing the backlog that often causes unreasonable wait times for our veterans.”
The community based outpatient clinic specializes in primary services for Michiana veterans, including mental health services and special care referrals. The South Bend VA Clinic opened in 2012 and will employ around 100 people, serving 60-70,000 veterans annually.
“It was great to host Rep. Walorski at our facility today to explain more about the important services we provide for our veterans,” said Thomas Merry, Executive Director of Ambulatory Care Solutions. “As we continue to improve veteran’s health care, we appreciate her continued involvement with the South Bend VA Clinic.”
The South Bend VA Clinic is part of the Northern Indiana Health Care System, which is headquartered in Ft. Wayne. In order to accommodate more veterans, the clinic plans to open a new 65,000 square-foot facility in the South Bend area in 2015.
