Tifton officials prepare for opening of Veterans Affairs clinic

TIFTON — Residents in the Tifton area will see the ribbon cut on a new Veterans Affairs clinic later this month.

Officials have announced that the grand opening of the facility, located at 1824 Ridge Ave. North in Tifton, will be taking place at 1:30 p.m. on Aug. 31. The event will include refreshments, tours of the clinic, information on VA services and remarks from speakers, including Georgia Department of Veterans Service Commissioner Mike Roby.

The event is open to the public.

The clinic has been in the works, and highly anticipated, for some time. Frank Jordan, the communications director for the Carl Vinson VA Medical Center, said that veterans, government officials and supporters have been welcoming and have offered their help to ensure a positive start.

The clinic manager, Donna Ammons, has been among those working to make sure the opening goes well while meeting and establishing relationships with community partners and veterans, Jordan said.

“The enthusiasm for the Tifton clinic couldn’t be better, so we want to have an event that gets the clinic off to the best possible start. We’re looking forward to seeing veterans, their families and everyone who supports America’s heroes on August 31,” Jordan said.

Medical Center Director Maryalice Morro extended an invitation to all VA stakeholders to attend the event.

“We’re looking forward to capitalizing on the tremendous enthusiasm for our new clinic in the Tifton area by hosting a grand opening,” she said.” We hope that our friends in the community will join us to get the venture off to a great start.”

The Carl Vinson center is the parent facility for the Tifton clinic as well as locations in Albany, Brunswick, Macon, Milledgeville and Perry.

Among others expected to be there is U.S. Rep. Austin Scott, R-Tifton, who expressed excitement for the upcoming occasion.

“I am extremely pleased to see the Tifton VA Clinic come to fruition after many years of hard work, and I applaud Ms. Maryalice Morro and her leadership team on this project and commitment to our veterans,” said Scott. “Since taking office, I have been an advocate for bringing health care closer to the veterans of South Georgia and meeting the needs of veterans in their community. Our nation’s veterans sacrificed a great deal for our country, and they deserve the highest quality of care that our country can provide.”

In June, an informational fair was conducted to allow stakeholders to learn more about the facility. Officials from the new clinic were also represented at the “Kick-off to Men’s Health” event last month hosted by Tift Regional Health System.

As part of the continuing effort to provide health care closer to where more veterans live, the U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs announced in 2012 plans to open 13 new community-based outpatient clinics in nine states. Among those was the Tifton VA clinic.

Hours of operation will be from 8 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. Mondays-Fridays. Services are expected to include primary care, mental health and other basic health care services. Officials said additional services will be available through the use of Tele-Health, a new VA initiative allowing veterans to access some health care needs using interactive visual technology.

Veterans are advised to keep appointments already scheduled at other VA facilities until their care is transferred and an appointment is scheduled at the new clinic. Veterans not currently enrolled in VA health care may obtain an application form online at va.gov or visit the clinic after the opening to pick up an enrollment package, officials with the VA said.

Veterans also can call the 24-hour Nurse Triage number at 1-877-424-8212.

For more information about the informational fair or services available at the clinic, contact Ammons at [email protected].