DUBUQUE VETERANS' AFFAIRS OUTPATIENT CLINIC

DUBUQUE VETERANS' AFFAIRS OUTPATIENT CLINIC. In 2018 an estimated 4,000 veterans were assigned to the Veterans' Clinic in Dubuque. Opened in 1999 at MERCY MEDICAL CENTER later MERCYONE DUBUQUE MEDICAL CENTER, the 4,800-square-foot clinic was part of the Iowa City VA Health Care System. Lack of space and staff meant that many times a veteran had to travel to Iowa City for care. (1)

In April, 2018 the announcement was made that the VA would be leasing a new larger stand-alone clinic. Additional medical staff would provide more services including physical therapy, optometry, and hearing. It was anticipated that the new clinic would be able to increase the number of veterans treated locally by one thousand. While the site was not yet chosen, the clinic was planned to be opened in the summer of 2019. (2)

Officials from Plaza 20 Inc. announced in May, 2018 that the new clinic would open in a portion of the former K MART store. The center which was at least four times the current center was expected to hire more than two dozen people. The additional space would allow VA to add a primary care team and increase its mental health services. (3)

On August 16, 2019 an estimated two hundred visitors were given a tour of the new facility. The new 22,000 square-foot center offered new services not provided in the older location including physical therapy, radiology, and enhanced mental health services. (4)

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Source:

1. Descorbeth, Shirley, "New VA Clinic Coming to Dubuque," KWWL.com Online: http://www.kwwl.com/story/37873156/2018/4/3/new-va-clinic-coming-to-dubuque

2. Ibid.

3. Montgomery, Jeff, "Ex-K Mart Will House Veterans Clinic," Telegraph Herald, May 11, 2018, p. 1A

4. Montgomery, Jeff, "About 200 People Explore Large New VA Clinic," Telegraph Herald, August 16, 2019, p. 5A