Veterans find answers, support, and new resources at VA Augusta Town Hall
By Megan Kon, Public Affairs Specialist, VA Southeast Network
AUGUSTA, Ga. — More Veterans left with answers and long needed support after the American Legion Post 71 hosted VA Augusta Health Care System for a Veteran Town Hall that brought together leaders from both the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) and Veterans Health Administration (VHA).
VBA South Carolina Regional Director Shiela Jackson and Interim VA Augusta Executive Director James Doelling spent nearly two hours taking questions directly from Veterans. They were joined by experts from eligibility and enrollment, women’s health, the Veteran Experience Office, and specialists from several VA clinics, all working together to resolve benefits issues and provide clearer paths to care for the more than 50 Veterans in attendance.
One Veteran described the challenge she has of having to go between Augusta’s Uptown and Downtown medical campuses to fill her prescriptions.
Dr. Jennifer Blanchard, Acting Chief of Staff, explained that, for two weeks now, pharmacy services are back at both locations and has been for two weeks now, as construction is now over.
VA Augusta leaders shared updates about one of the newest improvements for local Veterans: the recently opened standalone Women Veterans Health Clinic.
A New Era of Care for Women Veterans
The new clinic, located on the 8th Floor of Building 1 at 820 Sebastian Way, opened in late 2025 and now serves one of VA Augusta’s fastest‑growing patient populations: women Veterans.
“This new clinic empowers us to offer women expanded, holistic care in a private setting,” said Dr. Jennifer Woodley, VA Augusta’s Women Veterans Program Manager. “Our women Veterans have earned this level of high‑quality, compassionate care.”
The dedicated Women Veterans Health Clinic provides:
- Full on-site primary care teams
- Cervical cancer and STI screenings
- Birth control, pre-conception, and reproductive health counseling
- Maternity care and gynecology
- Pelvic floor rehabilitation
Additional services—including laboratory, pharmacy, radiology, bone density testing, and mammography—remain available at VA Augusta’s Uptown and Downtown campuses.
“The Lord told me there was something here for me.”
One of the most powerful moments of the town hall came from a Veteran in her seventies who almost didn’t attend. With tears in her eyes, she spoke about her late husband, a Vietnam combat Veteran who passed away without receiving the recognition or benefits he deserved.
“I didn’t know if I was going to come today,” she said softly. “But the Lord told me there was something here for me.”
Her story resonated throughout the room and served as a reminder of why these events are essential — ensuring every Veteran has a place to be heard, supported, and guided through the benefits and services they have earned.
Serving Veterans Across the Region
VA Augusta Health Care System includes high‑complexity medical centers and outpatient clinics in Augusta, Athens, Aiken, and Statesboro, serving nearly 50,000 unique Veterans each year with the support of approximately 2,500 staff.
By the close of the town hall, dozens of Veterans had their questions answered, benefits issues addressed, and care concerns resolved — reflecting VA Augusta’s ongoing commitment to listening, improving, and meeting the needs of those who served.