Columbia VA celebrates opening of new Florence VA Clinic
By James Branch, Public Affairs Officer
The Columbia VA Health Care System marked a major milestone in expanding access to Veteran care with a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new Florence VA Clinic on April 24, 2026.
Located at 1380 Celebration Boulevard, the state-of-the-art facility provides a wide range of services closer to home for Veterans, including primary care, mental health services, women’s health, laboratory services, and telehealth capabilities.
“This clinic is a symbol of what can be accomplished when a community, a mission, and a shared purpose come together,” said Jeffrey Soots, Columbia VA acting executive director. “The Florence community has shown tremendous support throughout this journey, and because of that, this facility now stands as a lasting investment in the health and well-being of our Veterans.”
The new clinic represents a significant expansion of services and capacity. At more than 26,000 square feet, it is more than double the size of the previous 10,000-square-foot facility. The additional space allows for increased staffing, improved patient flow, and the ability to serve more Veterans efficiently and effectively.
Since opening on June 2, 2025, the clinic has already served nearly 7,500 Veterans and supported close to 30,000 outpatient visits—demonstrating both the demand for and the impact of expanded services in the Florence area.
For Veterans like Tonya Washington-Fulton, a former U.S. Army engineer and human resources specialist, the clinic represents more than just numbers.
“It is great to have a medical facility that we can call home, where specialists and staff are trained and aware of the special needs of Veterans,” Washington-Fulton said.
The clinic is currently staffed by approximately 55 health care professionals dedicated to providing high-quality, Veteran-centered care. It operates under the Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) model, a team-based approach that integrates providers, nurses, and administrative staff to deliver coordinated and comprehensive care.
The opening of the new Florence VA Clinic reflects the Columbia VA Health Care System’s ongoing commitment to improving access, enhancing the Veteran experience, and ensuring Veterans receive the care they have earned—when and where they need it.