The Primary Care Annex - Hidden River Community-Based Outpatient Clinic builds a stronger, healthier future for Tampa Bay Veterans and their families

The PCA offers top-of-the-line health care to Tampa Bay Veterans. From primary care to women’s health, the clinic serves thousands of Veterans throughout the Tampa Bay area as a part of James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital.

The clinic is known for its exceptional primary care services. Inside the PCA, there are 25 primary care teams overseen by Dr. Christopher Olson. “We have the unique ability to be able to take care of America’s true heroes. I’m a Veteran myself so I appreciate it even more,” Olson said.

In September 2014, the PCA opened inside of the Hidden River Community-Based Outpatient Clinic. Olson explained how the PCA leads the nation in innovative ideas. “The design of the upstairs, what we call the Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) model, was kind of a fi rst in the country for the VA. Where we sat the core of the primary care team, doctors, nurses, all together to facilitate communication and allow for Veteran-centric flow throughout the clinic,” Olson said. The PACT model allows Veterans to work together with their health care professionals to provide a more patient-driven approach.

The Tampa VA Women’s Center has been a pioneering beacon of high-quality care for women Veterans since 1993. The center’s mission is to provide the best possible care to the 5,500 women they serve.

The Women's Center has made remarkable strides in advancing its mission, thanks to an impressive grant approval of over $15 million from the Women’s Health Innovation and Staff Enhancement (WHISE) Program. This substantial funding has empowered the center to expand its staff, modernize programs, acquire cutting-edge equipment, and offer specialized services tailored to meet the unique health care needs of women Veterans. This is an exciting milestone in the ongoing commitment to provide exceptional care for women who have served.

The center includes a dedicated entrance for women veterans, their families, and caregivers, to receive care in a comfortable and safe environment. Women can receive a variety of services, from gynecology to preventive screenings. “Our performance in preventive health measures, such as breast and cervical cancer screening, chronic disease management and vaccine completion rates, when you look at those metrics, Tampa VA is among the top in the country,” said the Medical Director for the Women’s Center, Dr. Dana Glenn said.

Glenn explained how the staff at the Women’s Center truly cares for their patients. “I think our biggest strength is listening to the voice of the woman Veteran,” she said.

The Women’s Center has 96 community partners, allowing staff to provide patients with support and resources beyond the clinic. One recurring event is a monthly Women Veterans Coffee Social at Veterans Memorial Park. “It’s a time where women Veterans can get resources and information about Tampa VA services, but also connect with one another and really build a sense of community,” Glenn continued.

The clinic offers a variety of services, including:
● Nursing
● Dental/ oral surgery
● Gynecology
● Laboratory
● Nutrition and dietary care
● Physical therapy, occupational therapy
● Podiatry
● Primary care
● Prosthetics
● Psychiatry
● Psychology
● Radiology
● Social work
● Telehealth
● Breast care
● Behavioral Health
● Whole Health
● Clinical Pharmacist
● Mammography
● Medical Support Assistance
● Eligibility/Enrollment
● Release of Information
● Virtual Health Care Resource Center
● Women Veterans Program

Unique services offered at the clinic are their tele-retina and tele-dermatology, which provide patients with convenient access to specialty care without traveling outside the clinic.

Tele-dermatology utilizes skilled clinical technicians to perform a dermatoscope. The handheld device illuminates and magnifi es the skin, allowing physicians to see structures not visible to the naked eye. This advanced technology helps in the early detection and treatment of skin conditions.

Tele-eye services screen for various conditions, including diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, and glaucoma — all of which can lead to permanent vision loss. Many patients are unaware they are at risk or are already showing early signs. Staff members are able to detect conditions early to prevent vision loss and enhance the quality of life for Veterans.
 

Telehealth technology also includes Tele-Genetic Counseling. This connects Veterans with specialty care services that are not available on the main campus. These programs are designed to ensure veterans receive high-quality care when and where they need it.
 

The clinic also offers full scope dentistry. “We do a whole scope from start to finish. We do everything from fillings to complex cases, with placing implants and full mouth implants. So there’s a lot of surgical aspects that happen here too,” General Dentist, Chandani Patel said. She said the work is highly rewarding, “taking a patient from point a to point b and giving them a beautiful smile that is life-changing for them.”

One of the clinic’s patients is also a longtime staff member. Desmond Williams has worked at the clinic for 18 years. He loves his job as a program specialist and volunteer service supervisor. He appreciates the care he receives at the clinic as well. “My primary care physician, her father was a Veteran, so she understands and gets it,” Williams said.

It’s common for staff members to be like Williams, an employee and a Veteran. He believes it helps him connect with patients because they understand each other from having served our country. “Ninety percent of our staff were all Veterans,” Williams said.
Williams urges Tampa Bay Veterans who haven't been to the clinic to come. “You’re a Veteran, you earned it, so give us a chance,” WIlliam's said.

For more information about the clinic and to make an appointment, click here: https://www.va.gov/tampa-health-care/locations/hidden-river-va-clinic/#….