Published: June 27, 2008 11:59 pm            

Enid will be 1 of 4 VA clinic locations

Veterans living in the Enid area soon may not have to travel as far for health care once a Department of Veterans Affairs clinic is open here.

Enid was one of four places in Oklahoma selected to receive a community based outpatient clinic. The others in Oklahoma will be in Altus, Craig County and Jay. The clinics are to be activated over the next 15 months.

“It means veterans will be able to stay here in Enid for primary medical care in-stead of go-ing to the VA medical center in Okla-homa City,” said Craig Vance, of Lahoma, who helped spearhead the local effort to get a clinic here.

Veterans still would go to the Oklahoma City VA center for more specialized treatment, he said.

Once VA establishes the clinic, area doctors and nurses will donate their time or work at a reduced rate. The clinic will have access to review patients’ records stored at VA facilities across the country.

Vance, a 281/2-year Navy veteran, was clinic project officer for the local chapter of National Association of Uniformed Services. He worked on the project for the past year and a half. Clyde Spence, retired Army general and Enid resident, has been working on the effort for three years or more, Vance said.

“He and I have been collaborating on this,” Vance said.

Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake said VA will create 44 of the clinics across the country to bring the VA closer to home for veterans in 21 states.

“VA continues to make access to care easier through an expanding outpatient system focused not only on primary treatment but also prevention of disease, early detection and health promotion,” Peake said.

Having to drive to Oklahoma City puts a strain on veterans’ bank accounts and can mean a long wait before treatment, said U.S. Rep. Frank Lucas, R-Okla., who was pleased with the news.

“I am proud to have worked closely with the Department of Veterans Affairs; David Wood, the director of Oklahoma City Veterans Medical Center; and the veterans of Enid and Altus to help bring these clinics to their cities,” Lucas said, “and I look forward to more community based outpatient clinics opening in the state of Oklahoma.”

“Our veterans have put their lives on the line to defend the freedoms we enjoy in this country,” Lucas said. “We must ensure the highest quality of medical care for them, and these community-based outpatient clinics are a big step in the right direction.”