Standing room only, Veterans and community members fill the crowd for Elko VA Clinic grand opening

Community members and Veterans in Elko showed up in droves to celebrate the new and improved clinic for Veterans. Inside the 5,300-square-foot building, the air felt fresh in a way only a newly finished space can. The clean lines of the new clinic maximize the Patient Aligned Care Team, and six exam rooms, two consult rooms, expanded lab space, and a tele-retinal lab ready to bring more care closer to home for more Veterans in Northeast Nevada. 

The ceremony drew local leaders, Veterans, and community members to celebrate what organizers described as a significant step forward for rural healthcare access. Dr. Angela Williams, executive director of the VA Salt Lake City Health Care System (VASLCHCS), which oversees 10 community clinics including Elko, discussed the benefits of the new clinic. 

“No matter where you served and no matter which branch you represent, the VA is here to care for all of you,” Williams in her remarks to Veterans in attendance. “Tour Veterans answered the call for this nation, now we are answering the call to serve you.” 

Click here: check out the highlights from the ceremony on YouTube!

Elko City Mayor, Reece Keener, was excited for the potential the clinic brings to the care for Northeast Nevada Veterans 

“It is so wonderful to see the VA stepping up and making investments in our community that will help Veterans,” Keener said.  

This upgrade was already planned when Elisa Brown, physician assistant at the Elko VA Clinic, was hired and patient numbers continued to climb because of the quality care the Elko VA Clinic provides. 

“Many of the Veterans that I had in my previous employ followed me to the VA clinic and our numbers grew and grew and grew,” Brown said. “So we outlived that clinic and I’m so grateful for all of our staff and leadership that made this all possible for all of you because you deserve it. You have deserved it for a long time.” 
The building can support an additional care team, and VASLCHCS is in the process of hiring staff to fill those positions, allowing more Veterans to be seen locally. 

Brown continued to say that service is in her blood and her reasons for staying with VA are grounded in that 

“My father was a Vietnam Veteran, my grandfather was a World War II Veteran, so I am grateful to be serving you all as if you were my family,” she said 

Beyond its increased size and additional capabilities, this clinic represents VA’s duty to all Veterans. 

“This clinic is more than just a building,” said Quinn Kiger-Good, business manager for the Elko Clinic. “It is a promise to our Veterans that they will be seen, heard and cared for. It is a symbol of respect for the sacrifices they have made, and it is a reflection of a community that refuses to settle anything less than the best for those who served.” 

Local Veterans were excited about the new space. 

“There has been so much work going into this clinic and now that it’s finally here, I just can’t wait for everybody to find out about it and get in here and start using it,” said Marine Corps Veteran and Elko Resident Tracy Corgan. 

After the ceremony, members of the public toured the new facility, moving from room to room and getting a first look at the expanded services now available in Elko. 

In her remarks, Williams issued a challenge to the crowd. 

“I have a charge for everyone sitting here today,” she said. “If you know a Veteran, ask them one question: ‘Are you receiving your care through the VA?’ If they are, that is wonderful. If they are not, please encourage them to see us in enrollment.” 

To find out if you or a Veteran in your life is eligible for VA healthcare, go to https://www.va.gov/resources/getting-started-with-va/