Smith Report

As our patient population changes, the VA Maryland Health Care System is constantly adapting and improving the services we offer to meet the changing needs of Maryland’s veterans.

We have specifically developed unique programs and services to address the needs of veterans returning from Afghanistan and Iraq. For instance, we have successfully combined the Returning Veterans Outreach, Education and Care and the Seamless Transition Programs with the Department of Defense’s Post Deployment Health Reassessment to address the needs of these veterans. As a result, Maryland National Guardsmen and Reservists have a better understanding of their VA entitlements and, thanks to on-the-spot enrollments at these events, over 500 returning veterans have received education and/or treatment throughout the health care system.

While the War on Terror has required us to refocus our efforts in order to meet the health care needs for a new generation of returning veterans, our dedication to our veteran patients from previous wars and conflicts remains as strong as ever. Construction has been approved for a new, state-of-the-art nursing home at the Perry Point VA Medical Center that will consolidate all of our existing nursing home beds and elder care functions into one building. In the meantime, Building 25H at Perry Point is undergoing renovations and will soon serve as an interim nursing home until the replacement facility is completed.

Additionally, a proposal is currently in development for the VA Maryland Health Care System to open a new community based outpatient clinic at Fort Meade in Anne Arundel County. The new outpatient clinic, which is planned for construction adjacent to the Kimbrough Ambulatory Care Center at Fort Meade, will help to better serve our veteran patients living in Anne Arundel, Howard and Northern Prince George’s counties. The new facility will also decrease the workload at the Baltimore VA Medical Center, which would directly help to improve patient parking and appointment availability.

At the heart of these ideas for new programs and facility improvements is your commitment to providing quality, comprehensive and compassionate care and service to all of our veteran patients. Your dedication to the veterans we serve is inspiring.

Thank you for your continued commitment to “Working Together for a Healthier Veterans’ Community.”

Sincerly,

Dennis H. Smith
Director, VA Maryland Health Care System