Fisher House: Home away from Home at Malcom Randall VA Medical Center

Only steps away from Malcom Randall VA Medical Center, this house, alongside almost 100 others, relieves financial and emotional strains for the families of Veterans in a time of need. 

The Fisher House Foundation was created by Zachary and Elizabeth Fisher in 1990 and has grown to consist of almost 100 houses across the United States. The Fisher House Foundation provides temporary living accommodations for the families of Veterans and active-duty service members who need extended treatment while at the VA for serious illnesses or lengthy rehabilitation at zero cost.

One such guest, Mrs. Valerie Jackson, the proud wife of 58 years to Vietnam Veteran James Jackson, has enjoyed the home away from home experience that the Fisher House provides to Families of Veterans. A previous challenge she faced, was that she was unaware of the Fisher House until recently.

Now that Valerie is aware of the Fisher House, she hopes to spread the word to as many Veterans and families as possible due to the immense relief the Fisher House can provide.

“I don’t think there are words in the dictionary that can actually describe how great this place is,” said Valerie. “This is a home, a home away from home, for families of Veterans.”

James has been a patient at Malcom Randall VMC for a variety of medical treatments and most recently, for a triple bypass surgery that has required a multiple day stay in the medical center. For the weeks of treatment, follow up appointments, and procedures, Valerie has called the Fisher House home and is able to be by her husband’s side on a daily basis, greatly enhancing his care and recovery. “Because a family’s love is the best medicine.”

Smiles and friendliness flourish at the Gainesville Fisher House. Along with the extreme cleanliness and welcoming staff, Valerie praised the countless resources the Fisher House has provided during her stay. The option of spending hundreds, if not thousands of dollars for a hotel or other lodging accommodations near the hospital is just not feasible for most Veterans, making the Fisher House the only option, and second to none, when it comes to serving our Veterans and their Families.

Every guest at the Gainesville VA Fisher House has access to free internet, a private bathroom, as well as a washer and dryer. Additionally, this facility has a common kitchen, dining room, living room, and patio for guests to use all within walking distance to the medical center.

“My main goal is to minimize any stress points so the guests can focus on what is most important, which is their Veteran,” said Mr. Kimo Ortiz, the Gainesville Fisher House Manager.

Ortiz is a 22-year Army Veteran and has dedicated his life to serving Veterans with the VA. Ortiz got his start with the Department of Defense managing training in Germany before relocating to Gainesville to support his son who was attending the University of Florida. The best way to be close to his son, was literally right across the street at the Malcom Randall VAMC.

Once Ortiz discovered and understood the mission of the VA, realizing the support and assistance that the VA provides to the Veterans it serves, he decided he did not want the Veteran to be forgotten. He longs to extend the memory of the Veteran in any way he can.

Valerie also had great things to share about Ortiz. “Kimo is an angel from heaven,” said Valerie. “Kimo has been amazing, he has been so helpful, and he is so passionate about helping Veterans.”

Mrs. Jackson expressed a deep gratitude for the resources the VA has provided, most importantly the Fisher House. “This is the only place to be,” expressed Valerie, a mother of three children, grandmother, and great-grandmother to six more.

Another aspect of the Fisher House is the familial camaraderie that is present in the home. The Fisher House is a community where guests lean on each other for support in their common mission of supporting a sick or injured Veteran family member. Wounds from combat are both visible and invisible, whether burns and amputations or from post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injury. All these medical challenges will require the ongoing presence of a Veteran’s family around them, and a Fisher House will support them in their time of need. 

The Fisher House offers so much for our Veterans and their families. Fisher House “homes away from home” are offered at no cost to military and Veterans’ families, allowing them to be together while their loved ones receive specialized medical care at military and VA medical centers around the world and ensuring they can be a part of the healing process.

When someone walks through the door of a Fisher House, we want them to know there are those who appreciate their service, honor their sacrifice, and are there to help them during a time of distress.

To utilize this amazing resource, guests must live at least 50 miles away from the Gainesville Fisher House, and they must be able to take care of themselves or be accompanied by a caregiver during their stay at the Fisher House.

*This story was co-authored by Jacquelyn Langrell, NF/SG Veterans Health System Public Affairs Office work-study.

For more information on the Fisher House, please visit https://fisherhouse.org/

For more information on the Malcom Randall VA Medical Center, please visit https://www.va.gov/north-florida-health-care/locations/malcom-randall-department-of-veterans-affairs-medical-center/.