Veteran Health Indiana is expanding its services into Shelbyville with the help of Major Health Partners.
Expected to open in April, veterans will have the option of seeking clinical services at 30 W. Rampart St. in Shelbyville, home of former physician offices that have been moved out to Major Health Partners’ new medical campus on Intelliplex Drive.
“The VA has been looking to expand services in their satellites to increase access for veterans. They want to spread out their services to reach veterans in a more effective manner,” said Jack Horner, president and CEO of Major Health Partners. “So the discussion began about a year ago how MHP could help accomplish that goal.”
MHP’s donation of approximately 5,500 square feet offers the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs a nearly ready-made new location southeast of Indianapolis that includes easy access into and out of the facility as well as proximity to Interstate 74.
“MHP is giving us the space ... we’re not buying the building which is a really big deal,” said Peter Scovill, VA public affairs officer. “We will start with primary care and mental health depending on who is available and what we need (in Shelbyville). We will shape the staff based on what we see coming in the door.”
MHP will not be staffing the facility.
“We will be able to provide some logistical support and we will closely cooperate with them to provide as much as we can in this community,” said Horner.
The draw for veterans to the new clinic will center around seeing medical personnel trained to deal with the issues associated with those that have served their country.
“No one knows veterans like VA docs,” said Scovill.
Scovill admitted the process of opening a new clinic normally takes five years. But with the help of MHP, that time frame has been slashed down to less than a year.
“It’s because (MHP) recognizes that veteran health care is a community responsibility and not a VA responsibility,” said Scovill.