Lake Charles Clinic
The VISN 16 Network Director receives an update on construction progress, at the Lake Charles Veterans clinic.
Lake Charles Clinic to offer expanded services, state of the art facility with modernized approach
LAKE CHARLES, LA—The Network Director for VISN 16 recently visited Lake Charles and Lafayette, Louisiana—part of the Alexandria VA Health Care System. The fast-paced trip provided Dr. Skye McDougall an opportunity to meet key leadership in both cities, as health care for Veterans is strengthened, by local and state support.
McDougall met with the outgoing and incoming city mayors for Lake Charles and the current mayor for Lafayette, in separate meetings. Discussions regarding clinic staffing, volunteer support, and praise for local leadership making Veterans health care a priority, were a few topics of discussion.
“Support from the local leadership, throughout VISN 16, is critical,” said McDougall. “Our stakeholders make a great difference in the lives of our Veterans, and that is why it is important to hold discussions, about what is working and what is not. The new Lake Charles clinic is a major modernization effort. As we get closer to the opening, it is even more important we have a transparent relationship.”
Almost one year since the ground breaking, the VISN Director was able to tour the ongoing construction in Lake Charles. The clinic opening, in late August, should serve as a proud moment for the City of Lake Charles. The new modernized facility will measure more than 24,000 square feet—almost five times larger than the existing clinic. New services will include, eye care, dental, X-ray, and mental health services, to name a few.
“The Lake Charles facility will be a welcome addition to the city,” said McDougall. “The progress is impressive and the end product will be a health care facility our Veterans can be proud of—it will be state of the art.”
Other local leadership, who make up the Veteran’s Action Coalition of Southwest Louisiana, visited with the Director. The coalition has been a Veteran’s advocate for more than two decades and spearheads many projects to improve Veterans lives, in Southwest Louisiana.
The meeting consisted of coalition membership, the state VA Secretary, legislative offices, Veterans Experience and the Alexandria Medical Center Director.
