JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
Active duty military personnel and veterans stood side-by-side May 20, 2015 to celebrate the grand opening of the new VA-DoD Joint Physical Therapy Clinic located at Naval Health Clinic Charleston on Joint Base Charleston, S.C.
The event was led by mistress of ceremonies Cmdr. Amy Smith, director for administration at NHCC and featured addresses from Navy Capt. Marvin Jones, commanding officer at NHCC, and Scott Isaacks, director of the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center.
"[This clinic] is a testament to how Naval Health Clinic Charleston and the VA medical center continue to work hand-in-hand to provide the highest level of care for all our patients, just as we have for years," said Jones. "It's that level of commitment to expanding care for all beneficiaries that has paved the way for today's clinic opening."
The Physical Therapy Clinic is a result of federal health care entities banding together more than nine years ago to form the Lowcountry Federal Healthcare Alliance. The group combines resources, energy and ideas to enhance the quality of care and scope of health care services for all VA and DOD patients.
In 2011, the Lowcountry Federal Healthcare Alliance was designated as a VA-DoD Joint Venture site, receiving recognition by both the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense for collaboration efforts to improve the medical services for their patients. The blended crowd of active duty members, veterans, VA employees and civilians at the event reflected the collaboration between VA and DoD in providing continuity of care for patients as they transition from active duty to veteran status.
Funding of the clinic through the Joint Incentive Fund has enabled the VA to staff the clinic with two physical therapists, two physical therapy assistants and a medical services support assistant. VA prosthetics will also be available in the joint clinic where two prosthetic program support assistants will order, stock and issue prosthetic devises to VA patients on-site. Access to care for VA and DoD beneficiaries is expected to improve with appointments provided in a convenient location that offers abundant parking for patients and their caregivers.
"In many instances, the service member who retires and stays in the local area can continue to receive the same quality medical care from the same practitioners at the same facility that he or she has grown accustomed to," said Isaacks. "We are thrilled to see this long anticipated clinic come to fruition in a community filled with thousands of veterans and service members--many of whom will benefit from the outstanding quality of medical care here."