Rapid City's new VA clinic is now open. The project has been in the works since 2014 and the new facility has the potential to expand.
Alan Brown, a Vietnam veteran, has been a patient at the old Rapid City VA clinic for quite a while.
“It’s small, small rooms. They do blood work there, doctors are there, but really very little other care," Brown said.
Brown said if he needs other care, he has to go to the Fort Meade clinic which is a half-hour drive. Brown said he’s looking forward to receiving care in Rapid City.
“Here, we’ll have CAT scans, and we’ll have other things, up to date stuff which will save me running to Sturgis to get all of these things and coming back," Brown said. "It’s going to be really nice to have it local, have it handy and top-notch outfit.”
The new clinic in Rapid City will also offer women’s health and lab services.
Last year, U.S. Senators cancelled a proposal to streamline VA healthcare facilities. Part of that plan would have turned the Hot Springs and Fort Meade hospitals into clinics, and opened a VA hospital in Rapid City.
Lisa Curnes, director of the Black Hills VA, said the Hot Springs and Fort Meade hospitals will continue to provide services.
“We have a lot of rural veterans who definitely need—they utilize those hospitals for their healthcare,” Curnes said. “They’ll definitely continue to be a valuable part of out western South Dakota healthcare market.”
Curnes said the new Rapid City facility is three times the size of the current clinic and can serve upwards of 8,000 veterans.
