The Enid News and Eagle, Enid, OK

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November 24, 2008

Officials: Enid veterans clinic could be complete by June ’09

By Robert Barron, Staff Writer

Enid could have its own veteran’s clinic by June 2009, according to officials working with the Oklahoma City VA Medical Center.

Craig Vance, an Enid veteran who has been working with the veterans hospital in Oklahoma City, said the facility will be contractor-operated rather than through Veterans Affairs.

They are reportedly working to have the facility open by June 1, 2009. Vance spoke with Dr. Ted Mickle, chief of ambulatory care service, VA Medical Center in Oklahoma City. Mickle could not be reached by the News & Eagle Sunday. The site for the medical center would be the responsibility of the contractor, which could be one of Enid’s hospitals or a local medical group.

“Whoever the winner is will be responsible for provide the building, equipment and staff and operate in accordance with VA standards when treating veterans,” Vance said.

The clinic may treat veterans only or treat veterans and civilians also. A current medical facility could be used, or a building could be rented.

Enid has never had a veteran’s medical center. The nearest veteran’s facility is in Ponca City, which will soon move to Blackwell. There has been discussion of a clinic in Stillwater, plus a clinic and a veterans hospital in Oklahoma City.

Vance said he’s been in discussion with officials at both St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center and Integris Bass Baptist Hospital to gauge their interest about operating the clinic.

According to Veterans Affairs statistics, there are 5,800 veterans in Garfield County, or about 12 percent of the total population. Vance said that number is average for Oklahoma communities. The original business plan shows the center servicing 12,000 veterans from 11 counties and a new outpatient load of 2,260 the first year from Grant, Kingfisher, Major and Garfield counties.

Vance said the clinic will be a standard outpatient clinic, with no emergency services, and will operate 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., but will have no weekend hours.

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