Leaders break ground on new health care center for veterans
US Senator Joe Donnelly and U.S. Representative Jackie Walorski joined officials from the VA Northern Indiana Health Care System, VA employees and local officials to break ground on the St. Joseph County Health Care Center for veterans.
The groundbreaking was held at the corner of Trinity Place and Fir Road in Mishawaka.
“On behalf of the 54,000 veterans in my district and the growing veteran population, we must ensure we provide quality access to VA health care,” Walorski wrote in a press release. “As a Member of House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, we take a lesson from every veteran who took an oath to defend our nation – never give up. I take that oath to heart and want veterans here in Indiana and throughout the country to know that I will not give up the fight for you in Congress.”
Donnelly said, “Today’s groundbreaking of the St. Joseph County Health Care Center is a great day for north central Indiana veterans. In recognition of their service and sacrifice, our nation promises to care for our veterans and their families long after their last day in uniform. Ensuring ready access to health care when and where they need it is the least we can do for those who have done so much for our country. The St. Joseph County Health Care Center is critical to fulfilling our promise to the men and women who have served us — and that is why helping make it a reality has been a top priority. Many of our local veterans will be a short ride away from necessary health services, including primary care and mental health providers. I am proud this new health care center will call St. Joseph County home, and I will continue working nonstop with our federal, state, and local partners to make sure Hoosier veterans receive the care they deserve.”
The new 71,000 square-foot clinic will give Michiana veterans better access to more services than they have now, including mental health care, radiology and cardiology.
The doors of the Mishawaka facility should open to patients in the spring of 2018.