>La Grande Observer | Union and Wallowa Counties' News Leader

Services offered at the new Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic include primary health care, mental health, social services, laboratory and pharmacy. - The Observer/PHIL BULLOCK

Jake Shaw, a public affairs specialist at the VA hospital in Walla Walla, said clinic staff began scheduling appointments this week. A formal dedication ceremony for the clinic is scheduled for July 2.

Clinic services include primary health care, mental health, social services, laboratory and pharmacy. The clinic will not offer emergency care.

Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The phone number is 963-0627. The clinic will be closed on federal holidays.

Shaw said the clinic was experiencing some difficulties with the newly installed phone system this week and that people calling may have some trouble getting through.

“We don’t want people to get discouraged if they call and can’t get through. We feel sure the phone problems will be fixed by Monday,” he said.

Last year, the VA announced its plan to establish a community-based outpatient clinic in La Grande to serve Northeast Oregon vets.

Local businessman Fred Bell proposed building the clinic on land he owns on 12th Street near Gekeler Lane, adjacent to the National Guard armory in the Blue Mountain Conference Center. He would lease the building to the VA.

The agency accepted his proposal and construction began in late October.