Columbia VAHCS’ New MoPOC Program Brings Prosthetic Care to Rural Veterans

"MoPOC is an indispensable lifeline for our Veterans in remote areas, eliminating the hurdles they face in accessing vital prosthetic and orthotic services," emphasized Madison McLemore, a Certified Prosthetist/Orthotist (CPO) and the MoPOC clinician at Columbia VAHCS.

Traditionally, Veterans in need of P&O services had to undertake the arduous journey to Columbia’s Dorn VA Medical Center. The MoPOC program offers state-of-the-art, accessible P&O services for rural-based Veterans and those who experience barriers traveling to VA facilities. 

For Marine Corps Veteran Donald Poston, the program is a much-needed respite. "This program is amazing," shared Donald, highlighting how MoPOC eliminated a two-plus hour roundtrip and the accompanying expenses and stops.

A pivotal aspect of the program is the specialized MoPOC van, equipped with a suite of tools and technologies to deliver onsite, seamless care. This mobile clinic-on-wheels brings convenient and comfortable P&O specialty care to VA Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) and Veterans’ homes, providing services such as: fabrication, modification, and fitting of custom prosthetic and orthotic devices. 

Curtis Atkinson, a U.S. Army Veteran from Hartsville, SC, praised the program's impact on local Veterans. "It’s really wonderful to have this program come out here," he expressed. "I usually have to drive to Columbia to get these things," Atkinson stated. Atkinson’s sentiments echo the profound effect of MoPOC in saving not only travel miles but also precious time for Veterans.

Emphasizing the need for tailored care, Sonia Scott, MoPOC site manager, Dolores Sauceda, MoPOC administrative support assistant, and McLemore, collaborate closely with Veterans to address their unique requirements and help to enhance a Veteran’s comfort, mobility, and overall well-being.

McLemore stated, "Our mission is to positively impact the lives of our Veterans. The MoPOC program enables us to provide patient-centered care and foster a strong connection with the Veterans we serve."

The Columbia VAHCS is committed to supporting Veterans in their pursuit of optimal health and well-being through the MoPOC program. For further information on MoPOC's availability and details, please visit the MoPOC page on our website. Veterans seeking the specialized care MoPOC provides are urged to contact their primary care provider to explore the potential benefits.

For comprehensive information on the services available to Veterans in and around Columbia, including clinic locations and more, visit our website and follow us on Facebook and Instagram to stay up on the latest at the Columbia VAHCS.