Military veterans in Middle Georgia now have another place to get medical care.Robins Installation Commander Col. Brian Moore welcomed representatives from the Carl Vinson Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Dublin, Georgia, to celebrate the opening of a new clinic at the 78th Medical Group.

“This is about a community and base integration and taking care of those who have served this nation faithfully,” said Moore. “The ingenuity and innovation to be able to bring this together to really partner and understand the priority both for the community and for the base is nothing short of spectacular.” 

This clinic will allow the Carl Vinson VA staff to provide primary care and mental health services for an additional 2,200 veterans who live and work in Middle Georgia.

People like Air Force veteran Sally Bryant of Bonaire, Georgia. She was excited to tour the facility which she said will make receiving health care more convenient.

“Perry was full, so I had to be routed to Macon. And, I go between Macon, Dublin, and Augusta. So, I welcome this with open arms, because it will save me that trip, which was a lot of wasted time.  I hope and pray that everything will run smooth here. It is much needed,” said Bryant, a retired medical technician.

According to the VA, the clinic in Perry was initially a home and then a real estate office before being transformed into its current use as a medical facility for veterans.

“We call the Perry Clinic ‘The Little house on the Perry’ because it is a little house. But even so, it is still serving the community,” said Dr. Chris Richard, a VA physician “Being in this new location is going to make it that much more convenient, comprehensive still, but more space for patients and workers to spread out.”

Houston County is one of the most veteran populated counties in the 49 county catchment for the Carl Vinson VA Medical Center. The area also represents the fastest growing area, and why the current Perry clinic is struggling to meet the demand.

David Whitmer, Carl Vinson VA Medical Center Director said, “As active duty members come here to Warner Robins they see the great quality of life we have here in Middle Georgia and they often want to retire and stay here and we  have to make sure that adjust and we are able to serve them through the VA.”

Col. Maureen Farrell, commander of the 78th MDG, said she is honored to have the opportunity to serve those who served our country.

“We are incredibly proud of serving them here at Robins AFB close to their homes, places of work and to a community that embraces them. We look forward to working with them to provide the best possible outcome for our veterans in this region.” said Farrell.

A new 40,000 square foot clinic is planned for the Warner Robins and Perry area, but it will not be operational for at least three years.

As of Jan. 1, veterans with a VA Veterans Health Information Card now have access to base facilities, including the medical group, commissary or 78th  Force Support Squadron services facilities.