VA opens clinic in Sheffield Village
By Michele Murphy
Nearly 200 guests, including veterans, their spouses, public officials, media and interested community members, poured into the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Lorain Community-based Outpatient Clinic in Sheffield Village during an open house last week.
Located at 2255 N. Abbe Road in Sheffield Village, the 22,000-square-foot facility, which once housed a hospice, was fully renovated by the VA following a competitive selection process conducted by VA administrators in Washington, D.C. The location in the center of Lorain County is intended to make it easier for more veterans to obtain medical services. In addition, it is literally a few doors away from the Lorain Veterans Services Commission.
Sheffield Village Mayor John Hunter, who was instrumental in urging the VA to consider the site in his community, said in a phone interview prior to the open house, he was exceedingly happy about the support he received from U.S. Reps. Jim Jordan (R-OH 4) and Bob Gibbs (R-OH 7). At the open house, the mayor also praised U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-OH 9), Ohio Sen. Gayle Manning, Ohio Rep. Nathan Manning and Lorain County commissioners for their efforts in supporting Sheffield Village’s bid for the site.
The site is considered temporary while the VA conducts a competitive process for a permanent site. According to Hunter, several Lorain County communities are vying for that opportunity. He remains optimistic about the village’s chances, citing its central location, ample parking, proximity to freeways, cleanliness and safety as preeminent reasons for staying in Sheffield Village.
Susan Fuehrer, medical director for the Cleveland VA, said she was very pleased with the turnout and added several veterans attending the open house had applied for, and been granted, coverage in programs offered at the Sheffield Village location.
Statistics supplied by the Cleveland VA’s public information staff showed more than 8,000 previously registered veterans made more than 52,000 visits to the former Lorain facility during 2015. Hunter believes these numbers will increase following the move. He said since the clinic’s soft opening last month, he has visited to ask veterans how service might be improved.
“I plan to keep asking how we can help,” he stated.
He and Rep. Jordan shared similar messages with the open house audience: “They served and protected us. Now it is our turn to serve them.”