LONG-DESERVED VETERANS CLINIC OPENS IN KEENE

(Keene, NH) – After mounting a multi-year effort to get the Monadnock region its first and only veterans’ health services facility, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) joined local and federal officials to open the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) new Keene Outreach Clinic today.

“It’s so exciting to finally be at this point, where we’re able to open these doors and welcome Keene-area veterans to their own clinic,” Shaheen said. “Every man and woman who has served in uniform deserves access to the benefits they’ve earned.”

“It is wonderful that veterans in the area now have access to health care in their own community,” said New Hampshire State Senator Molly Kelly. “We thank Senator Shaheen for her collaborative efforts to bring these much needed and deserved services to our veterans”

“After many years with no place to go locally for veterans care, we veterans in this community are thrilled to now have a home for our medical needs,” said American Legion Post 4 Past Commander Dwight Clark. “I urge all veterans to use this great local facility and I thank Senator Shaheen, along with the VA and the GSA, for seeing this through to the finish.”

Shaheen has been an outspoken advocate for providing quality veterans care and has been active in working towards the completion of the clinic. In 2009, her first legislation introduced as a U.S. Senator was to ensure that veterans had access to a full-service VA hospital or equivalent services in New Hampshire. She has maintained constant contact with the Department of Veterans Affairs and GSA Regional Administrators to work towards completion of this project.

In addition to primary care services, the clinic will also house a Veterans Center, with its own entrance and separate staff, who will offer counseling and group therapy for veterans. The Keene facility is a new model for the VA, marking the first time one of its medical centers will feature both a clinic for primary care and a Veterans Center for counseling in the same location.

The clinic is located at 640 Marlboro Street. Patients seeking an appointment should call 603-358-4900.