By By Lisa Tindell – news editor
Veterans in southwest Alabama will soon have a new facility to visit for medical conditions.
In an announcement earlier this month, U.S. Senator Richard Shelby, R-Ala. said the Department of Veterans Affairs will establish a new community based outpatient clinic in Monroe County.
Escambia County's director of Veteran's Affairs Mike Hanks said the announcement is a welcomed one for veterans in this area.
Hanks said other veteran's clinics and medical facilities are located in bigger cities limiting availability to local veterans.
Hanks said the clinics will offer a setting similar to medical centers currently in place by private physicians.
Hanks said the clinics operations will allow more patients to be seen in a more timely fashion.
Not only will the clinic provide more immediate care for veterans, jobs will also be made available to residents in the Monroeville area.
Shelby said in his announcement the establishment of the clinic will help to provide needed health care to veterans in the rural community.
The new clinic is expected to serve 2,515 patients in its first year, 2,600 the second year, and 2,669 the third year, Shelby said.
Hanks said the facility is expected to be operational by fiscal year 2010 serving veterans in the area.