KERNERSVILLE -- After weeks of waiting, the VA clinic in Kernersville is finally open. Veteran Gary Apple said he would have to normally drive to Salisbury for some care, but now he doesn’t have to go that far.
"It’s better than sliced bread. It’s going to cut so many miles,” explained Apple.
The clinic's administrator, Brent Erickson said the staff is ready to help more veterans in the area after being limited in Winston-Salem.
"They had to keep getting their care in Durham or Salisbury,” explained Erickson, “It's a big load on people."
It was a big priority for Senator Richard Burr. Who lobbied for this 400,000 square foot state of the art facility to be built.
"This is something that I started 7 years ago,” explained Senator Burr, “It's embarassing that it took 7 years to go from concept to legislation to completion."
The $130 million facility is already providing care to veterans that the previous clinic in Winston-Salem could not.
"6 primary care clinics here,” said Erickson, “We also have women's health, podiatry, orthopedics. We'll be having same day surgery coming the summer."
Erickson said the clinic will continue to expand their services in the coming years, while Senator Burr said more clinics this one will be needed.
"Unfortunately with the growth of the veterans population,” explained Burr, “We’re still under the amount of space we need."
The new VA Clinic is located off Kernersville Medical Parkway