Marine Corps, Navy, VA Health Care Collaboration Brings Primary Care to Veterans

By Colie Young, Tami Begasse and Frank Jordan

ALBANY, Ga. (NNS) -- During a joint ceremony and open house held Sept. 19, leaders from the Marine Corps, Navy and Veterans Affairs (VA) solidified the final move of VA health care services from the VA clinic previously located in downtown Albany to Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany.

VA community-based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) primary care and ancillary services (audiology, podiatry and optometry) are now co-located within Naval Branch Health Clinic Albany's 22,179-square-foot building at MCLB Albany, the location of the event. Additional VA specialty care services, including mental health, are provided at Bldg. 7200, which is adjacent to NBHC Albany.

"Our hope is that veterans feel at home aboard the base and the collaborative effort of MCLB Albany, the VA and the Navy provide a beacon of hope and a continued way forward in regard to exceptional care and services for a veteran community that has given so much here, nationally and globally in the capacity they served," said, Col. Don Davis, MCLB Albany commanding officer.

Through the health care collaboration, the almost 6,000 veterans in the region will now have on-base access to care from VA providers. This takes place alongside the existing care from Navy providers to the approximately 1,300 active duty military and their families, and 2,800 civilians at the installation.

"Our Branch Health Clinic Albany is nationally recognized for delivering high-quality care as well as transforming primary care practices through its Medical Home Port. By combining Navy Medicine, Veterans Affairs and Marine Corps resources, our nation's heroes, past and present, and their families have access to the best in patient care," said Naval Hospital Jacksonville Commanding Officer Capt. John Le Favour.

The integration of health care services aims to provide a seamless continuum of care to Albany's broad military community.

"Working with the Navy and Marine Corps to bring high quality health care to veterans and active duty military has been rewarding beyond words," said Dublin VA Medical Center Director John S. Goldman. "Their attitude throughout the process was 'let's get it done,' which has made everything so much easier to accomplish."

To make appointments, eligible veterans can call 800-595-5229, ext. 2711. Care is provided on an appointment basis only, with same-day appointments available for urgent care. The VA's CBOC hours of operation are Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The appointment process has not changed for active-duty military and their families, or MCLB civil service employees seeking occupational health care, who should continue to call 229-639-7884/7886. NBHC Albany hours of operation are Monday through Friday, from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Due to security requirements for base access, veterans without military identification cards should contact the MCLB Pass and ID Office at 229-639-5100. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday, from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. The office is closed for training the second Thursday of each month from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. It is important to observe all signs posted aboard the base, to include no cell phone usage while driving except when using a hands-free device.

The MCLB in Albany, Georgia, provides exemplary installation support services to its many tenants, who in turn, provide vital support to the Marine Corps and other Department of Defense operations critical to supporting this great nation and the warfighers across the full spectrum of operations worldwide. Its goal is to embrace the principles and values of effectively and efficiently managing limited resources, providing a safe and secure installation, ensuring good stewardship of taxpayer dollars and engaging our local community in mutually beneficial partnerships. More information on MCLB Albany can be found at www.albany.marines.mil.

NH Jacksonville's priority since its founding in 1941 is to heal the nation's heroes and their families. The command is comprised of the Navy's third largest hospital and five branch health clinics across Florida and Georgia, to include NBHC Albany. Of its patient population - about 163,000 active and retired Sailors, Soldiers, Marines, Airmen, Guardsmen and their families - more than 71,000 are enrolled with a primary care manager and Medical Home Port team at one of its facilities. To find out more, visit the command website at www.med.navy.mil/sites/NavalHospitalJax.

The Carl Vinson VA Medical Center in Dublin, Georgia, is one of 153 medical centers in the Veterans Health Administration that cares for U.S. military veterans. The medical center serves 38,000 veterans in 52 counties in middle and southeast Georgia and manages community-based outpatient clinics in Albany, Brunswick, Macon, Milledgeville and Perry. The medical center's strategic goal is to provide America's heroes with the best personalized, proactive, patient-driven healthcare anywhere. More information on the medical center and VA is available at www.dublin.va.gov.