New Veteran Health Clinic to Open at Fort Detrick

October 6, 2009

Friday marked the ground breaking for new outpatient clinic for veterans in Western Maryland. Veterans gathered at Fort Detrick to celebrate the construction of this much needed medical facility.

The lack of resources for Frederick veterans prompted this need for medical support. Previously the closest clinic was in Martinsburg, W. Va., which was an extremely inconvenient trip for basic primary care needs.

Upon the clinics opening in July 2010, it is expected that 3,000 patients will occupy this clinic. Of course this number will only continue to grow over the years. Services such as mental care, nutrition, basic healthcare and podiatry, are only a few of the medical resources that will be offered at the new clinic.

Sitting next to the new facility is Barquist Army Health Clinic that serves active and retired service members as their families. Barquist has been overwhelmed with patients and experiencing a 40 percent turnover in nursing staff. By opening an additional clinic, appointments will no longer be limited and staffing will be able to support the patient demand.

War veterans and active duty members will benefit greatly from the increase in medical resources and facilities. Lt. Col. Jeffrey Leggit, commander of the clinic, said in a statement in September that "we’ve made arrangements to share some resources with the clinic so patients of both clinics will have expanded access to things such as physical therapy, some diagnostics and more." (FrederickNewsPost.com)

Access to diagnostics is crucial to war veterans who are often suffering health problems acquired during their service time. The new veteran’s clinic would provide much needed service to the individuals effected by these unfortunate health conditions. For example, the increase in mesothelioma cases across U.S. military veterans.

This form of cancer is caused solely from asbestos inhalation. Veterans, occupying the largest group of mesothelioma cases, were regularly exposed to this hazardous substance that was used by every branch of the armed services for its incredible heat- and fire-resistant properties.

Mesothelioma is an extremely aggressive form of cancer that attacks the mesothelium tissue which forms around the body’s organs. The similarity of it’s symptoms to those of influenza and bronchitis, is what makes this type of cancer so difficult to detect. Because of this latency, mesothelioma often takes anywhere from 20-50 years to develop, which is why it is often found in veterans.

Fort Detrick’s new clinic will have the resources to aid not only those with mesothelioma, but the countless other health needs desired by war veterans.

The ability to answer to the much needed support and medical attention is greatly appreciated by this group of dedicated people. "This is the least we can do to make sure we carry out our commitment to those who served our nation with such great distinction," Sen. Ben Cardin said during the ground breaking ceremony at Fort Detrick.