VA RECEIVES $12.3M FOR FACILITY IMPROVEMENTS
By Monica Perin
Houston Business Journal
April 1, 2008 -- The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center in Houston will receive $12.3 million from the Department of Veterans Affairs' South Central VA Health Care Network for health care improvements at the facility.
The funds will be used to expand specialty care at outpatient clinics in Beaumont, Conroe and Lufkin and add 20 inpatient beds to the VA hospital's Mental Health Care Line to work with troops returning from Afghanistan and Iraq, with 10 beds set aside for female veterans.
Some of the money will also go toward improving dental services, increasing space for radiotherapy technology and to support several other services.
"We will use these resources to fund important projects that will significantly increase access to health care and improve medical services for veterans in Southeast Texas," said Edgar Tucker, director of the VA Medical Center.
A physician assistant cross-trained in otolaryngology, urology and orthopedics as well as an audiologist will be hired for the VA outpatient clinics in Beaumont, Conroe and Lufkin.