Erie VAMC Launches New ATLAS Site, Bringing VA Care Closer to Home

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 16, 2021

Erie VAMC Launches New ATLAS Site in Linesville, Bringing VA Care Closer to Home

Erie VA Medical Center (VAMC), in collaboration with VFW Post 7842, is pleased to launch a new ATLAS (Accessing Telehealth through Local Area Stations) site in Linesville, PA aimed at bringing VA care closer to home for Veterans living in rural areas.

Conveniently located at VFW Post 7842, the new ATLAS site offers Veterans a private, secure location – in a familiar setting – to meet with their VA provider virtually using VA Video Connect, VA’s secure videoconferencing technology. 

“ATLAS is veteran-centered care at its best,” says Erie VAMC Director John A. Gennaro.  “The whole experience is designed to ensure Veterans have easy, convenient access to VA care by reducing barriers that many rural Veterans encounter, such as long travel times to appointments or limited internet connectivity at home. This was truly a team effort, in partnership with the VFW Post 7842, and we’re extremely proud to be one of the first in the nation to launch an ATLAS site to improve the overall experience of our Veterans.”

ATLAS sites offer VA clinical services that do not require hands-on exams, which could include routine primary care visits, health education appointments, social work visits, and specialty care services such as visual impairment support services.  This site is part of a nationwide effort to help reach rural Veterans by providing convenient locations with private appointment space.  Part of VA’s Anywhere to Anywhere initiative and facilitated by the VA’s Secretary’s Center for Strategic Partnerships, ATLAS is part of a collaborative effort with Philips North America, The American Legion, VFW and Walmart.

On February 5, Lee Dhanenes became the first Erie VAMC patient to use the ATLAS site to connect with his VA health care provider, Laryssa Stolar, Erie VAMC’s Visual Impairment Services Coordinator. 

“I live a mile down the road [from the VFW] – not having an hour drive to my appointment was a big benefit for me,” says Dhanenes, Navy Veteran and patient of the Erie VAMC.  “I’m not a high-tech sort of guy with computers and cell phones and all that but it was pretty neat to go through.  I’ve never had a bad experience with the VA, this just makes it a whole lot easier.”

Like Dhanenes, Veterans do not have to be tech savvy to enjoy the benefits of the ATLAS site.  An ATLAS attendant is available at the VFW to help Veterans connect using the VA’s telehealth technology.  While the attendant is not in the room during the appointment, they remain available within the VFW to provide any technical assistance needed during the patient’s appointment.  This removes the stress of using new technology so Veterans can focus on what matters most - their health care appointment. 

VA health care providers, like Laryssa Stolar, are also grateful for the opportunity to connect virtually. 

“It’s a fantastic way to connect with Veterans,” says Stolar.  “As providers, we’re able to assess so much more – if your patient wants to ask a question but is hesitant – you see it in their body language and facial expressions, even in a virtual care setting.  It’s beneficial to both the Veteran and the providers.”

Veterans in the Linesville area are among the first Veterans in the country to have access to an ATLAS site.  VFW Post 7842 is the eighth ATLAS site to open nationally and only the second ATLAS site to open within a VFW. 

“Words really can’t explain how amazing a project like this is – it opens up channels that weren’t here prior,” says Jim Brown, VFW District 28 Commander and Legislative Chairperson for the Department of Pennsylvania.  “The Erie VA has been a phenomenal partner with the national VA and the VFW.  That’s the mission, taking care of the Veterans.” 

Local Veterans interested in scheduling an appointment can contact the Erie VAMC Call Center at 814-868-8661, press 2 and ask about scheduling a virtual appointment at the new ATLAS site location.  To learn more about ATLAS, visit connectedcare.va.gov/partners/atlas. 

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