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SEBRING , FL — Bay Pines VA Healthcare System, along with community leaders, broke ground this morning on the new VA Clinic in Sebring. “Our efforts to modernize our clinics for Veterans

remains a priority for Bay Pines VA Healthcare System, and today is a true testament to meeting that goal,” said Bay Pines VA Assistant Director Justina Wells, following the ceremony. “We’re

excited to commemorate the beginning of a new state-of-the-art facility that will support Veterans in Highlands County and the surrounding communities for many years to come.” The new

clinic, located 2.1 miles south of the current facility, will provide 14,600 sq. ft. of space to serve more than 5,000 Veterans annually.  “Today’s groundbreaking ensures that Veterans in

Florida’s heartland will have better access to needed care,” said Rep. Scott Franklin, who was unable to attend but offered his congratulations. “As our population continues to grow,

ensuring more convenient options for Veteran care is critical; this new clinic is an important investment into every Veteran living in this area.” Key factors in the design of the new

facility include accommodations to expand mental health services – an ongoing priority for Veterans Affairs nationally – with consult rooms, space for shared group therapy, and an area for

home-based primary care services. Additional services include the integration of clinical pharmacists, social workers, dieticians, and space for Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) that meets

requirements for the Space Module Design Guide. There will also be a dedicated area for Veterans to connect with clinical providers at a location closer to home through telehealth.  “Our

modernization efforts allow us to increase efficiency and deliver streamlined services,” continued Wells. “We’re confident that the new Sebring VA Clinic will be a place where Veterans of

today and tomorrow can continued to receive the highest levels of quality health care.” The new Sebring VA Clinic will be located at the intersection of Fincher Trail and New Life Way, less

than a quarter mile from U.S. Highway 27, providing convenient and easy access from the major traffic corridors that service the community. Leaders present at this morning’s ceremony

included: * Bay Pines VA Healthcare System Director/CEO Paul M. Russo * Bay Pines VA Healthcare System Associate Director Sean Turner * Bay Pines VA Healthcare System Assistant Director

Justina Wells * Sebring Mayor, the Honorable John Shoop * Bay Pines VA Healthcare System Healthcare Administration Services Supervisor Phillip Hunter * Sebring VA Clinic Nurse Magdalena

Rivera-Lopez * Highlands County Deputy Administrator Nick Sawyer * Highlands County Assistant Director of Community Programs Cynthia Acevedo * Chris Darling HC Government Realty Trust, and *

David Gerrits, Gerrits Construction Construction is too early in the process for the builders to provide an exact completion date; however, a spring 2025 date is an expectation for the

ribbon cutting and grand opening of the new Sebring VA Clinic. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THIS EVENT OR FUTURE COVERAGE OPPORTUNITIES: Contact Bay Pines VA Healthcare System’s Public

Affairs Officer Rob Frazier at [email protected] or 727-317-8120. See the latest news, stories, and Veteran health care information available on our official website or official social

media accounts.