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HEALTHCARE REAL ESTATE, CONSTRUCTION, DESIGN & FACILITY PLANNING

West Palm Beach VA Medical Center

Breaks Ground on Residential Rehab Facility

BY VANESSA ORR

By early April 2019, veterans in South
Florida will have access to a new residen-
tial rehabilitation treatment facility located
on the grounds of the West Palm Beach VA
Medical Center. The 30,000 sq. ft., two-
story inpatient building will serve to
expand the center’s current treatment pro-
grams, providing care for a growing num-
ber of veterans dealing with substance
abuse and mental health issues.
“There is a definite need for additional
inpatient residential treatment facilities
specifically for veterans,” explained Kenita
D. Gordon, public affairs officer, West
Palm Beach VA Medical Center. “We’ve
been sending veterans out into the com-
munity to live in different rehabilitation
facilities in residential settings, but with
the opening of this new facility, we will be
able to provide them with more compre-
hensive services on our grounds.”
Currently, the medical center provides res-
idential mental health treatment for veter- ments, and independent and group thera- clinically necessary for them to receive “This particular project has taken a long
ans through its Care in the Community py sessions, but others need inpatient around the clock treatment, and some also time to develop due to VA budgetary con-
program. options, especially if they are dealing with benefit from being able to relearn life skills straints and program requirements to
“Some veterans are fine to come in as substance abuse coupled with mental with others who are going through what ensure that what is being designed and
outpatients for regular therapy appoint- health disorders,” she added. “It may be they’re going through.” constructed will meet the needs of the
According to Gordon, the number of facility and the veteran community it
veterans requiring services is increasing serves.”
each year. In fiscal year 2015, the medical The West Palm Beach VA Medical
center provided 8,680 veterans with men- Center treats veterans for mental health
tal health services for a total of 41,332 issues including PTSD, depression, anxi-
appointments. That number increased to ety, substance abuse and more, and veter-
9,960 veterans and 48,448 appointments ans can also take advantage of other serv-
in fiscal year 2016, and this year, 8,318 ices on the VA campus, including primary
veterans have already been seen, with the and specialty care, an emergency room, a
fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2017. blind rehabilitation center, and social serv-
Rob Kittelson, project engineer, West ice programs for homeless vets.
Palm Beach VA Medical Center, said that According to Gordon, veterans will be
the project, which broke ground at the end evaluated by the VA’s mental health clinical
of August, will take about 14 months to team to determine if they are good candi-
complete. dates for inpatient treatment. “How long
“The building will house a total of 60 the person stays will depend on the indi-
beds; 30 downstairs and 30 upstairs, with vidual; some may stay six weeks, some for
two beds per semi-private room,” he said. a few months,” she said.
The building will also contain an adminis- “We’re working hard to make sure that
tration area on the ground floor, as well as the community is aware of the range of
a dining room, kitchen, three group thera- services that we offer to veterans,” she
py rooms, and one large recreation room. added. “We want to spread the word that
“Once the building is complete, it will we’re here to help 24 hours a day. The new
take approximately four months to residential facility is simply the cherry on
become fully activated with equipment top of the services that are already avail-
and resources, with the expected move-in able.”
date in early April 2019,” Kittelson added. “There is a great need for rehab services
Stephen L. Borruf AIA Architects + for veterans in South Florida, and this
Planners will design the building, which is facility will really fill a big void in the
being built by Pointer Construction area,” added Jones. “We are very excited to
Group, a company that has done a number be a part of it and are looking forward to
of projects for the Veterans building a successful addition to the VA
Administration. campus.”
“We’ve been involved in a variety of dif-
ferent types of renovations, additions and To learn more about services provided by
construction projects for the VA since the West Palm Beach VA Medical Center,
“Experience a Sound Future” 2010,” said David Jones, vice president of visit www.westpalmbeach.va.gov
operations, Pointer Construction Group. or call (561) 422-8262.

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36 September 2017 southfloridahospitalnews.com South Florida Hospital News