Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center (OGJVAMC) is working on a plan to reintroduce health care services as the VA starts reopening after COVID-19 shutdowns. The facility this week is expanding some services says spokesperson Brad Nelson. He outlines the plan...
"We are starting to see a limited number of patients in person. But it is prioritized by clinical need..."
Nelson says they will begin to slowly increase specialty care at the main facility first. Those clinics include Primary Care, Urology, Endoscopy, Pain Management, Neurology, Oncology, Mental Health among others.
He says all other clinics will resume services at the main facility in Iron Mountain on June 22.
The VA Community-based Outpatient Clinics are scheduled to expand services as well including Rhinelander and Ironwood...
"Our VA Clinic in Rhinelander will begin on June 15 along with St. Sault Marie. Another community clinic close to Rhinelander, Ironwood, will begin on June 29...."
He says the VA will continue to promote options like telehealth, phone consults and wellness checks. Nelson says scheduling appointments for face-to-face services will depend on the risk and urgency of the individual veteran. He says while face-to-face visits are increasing, walk-in clinics are not open at this time. Only patients with a confirmed, scheduled appointment should come to the facility, unless they're experiencing an urgent medical issue.
He says rigorous safety measures will remain in place at all VA facilities. More information is at their website or Facebook pages.
