Today, Congressman Patrick McHenry (R-NC-10) announced that the Department of Veterans Affairs will open the Hickory Community Based Outpatient Clinic on June 4, 2008.

“For years, we’ve been working hard to ensure that Western North Carolina veterans get the quality, local healthcare they deserve, and I’m excited this long-overdue facility will open soon,” said Congressman McHenry.

“This healthcare clinic will provide roughly 5,500 Western North Carolina veterans with a wide range of services, including primary care, mental healthcare, and eye care.”

“I will continue working hard to see this project through to completion.  The 10,000 square foot clinic that’s opening on June 4 is a good first step in a two-part process that will eventually result in the establishment of a 20,000 square foot permanent clinic in the Hickory area.  My office is working with the Veterans Administration to ensure that the permanent facility is up and running as soon as possible.”

A ribbon cutting ceremony will be held at the Hickory CBOC on May 29 at 10:00 AM.  Following the opening ceremony, those in attendance will be able to tour the new facility and take part in a question and answer session with VA officials.  The tour will include a preview of the CBOC’s advanced video conferencing system, which will enable healthcare personnel to improve patients’ care by conducting medical consultations with off-site experts.

Located at 1170 Fairgrove Church Road in Hickory, the CBOC will provide healthcare services from 8:00 AM until 4:30 PM Monday through Friday, and will be staffed by 39 full-time VA healthcare personnel, including 5 primary care physicians.

The 10,000 square foot interim clinic is phase one of a two-phase process that Congressman McHenry pressed the VA to initiate when he brought then-Secretary of the VA Jim Nicholson into his office in last year.

Congressman McHenry is already working with VA officials to implement phase two of this process, which will bring a 20,000 square foot healthcare facility to the Hickory Area.  Currently, the larger, permanent facility is scheduled to be completed by May of 2010.

The Hickory CBOC’s service area includes Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Iredell, Lincoln, and Wilkes Counties.  Veterans in neighboring counties wishing to receive care at this facility are encouraged to make arrangements with the Veterans Administration.



Many veterans in the CBOC’s service area have been pre-screened and either have been or will be sent a letter from the VA with advice regarding enrollment.  Veterans may call (704) 638-9000, ext. 2533 for more information.



Veterans and their families who have further questions about the CBOC or issues with the Veterans Administration may also contact Joanna Rowe in Congressman McHenry’s Hickory office toll-free at 1-800-477-2576.