A new service for White County veterans has just been added to the American Legion Building and will provide a way for veterans to receive medical care and consults without having to make the sometimes costly trip to Murfreesboro or Nashville.
“American Legion Post #99, along with Ben Lomand Connect, is proud to announce the opening of the Veterans Telehealth Site,” White County Veterans Officer Matt Elmore said in a released statement. “The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is leading the way in telehealth innovation to make sure veterans can access medical care when they need it. By using these sites at different veteran organizations, VA telehealth technologies make it easier for veterans to connect with their VA care team.”
David Vaughn, operations manager for Ben Lomand Connect’s Sparta district, said Ben Lomand is proud to be a part of the project.
“We all live work and play in the communities we serve, and we are proud to be a part of this,” Vaughn said and stated that over the last year the need for broadband has become more important. “We are proud to provide American Legion Post #99 with high-speed broadband on the best fiber network.”
American Legion Post #99 commander Ron Lapierre said the new service, which will be housed in a dedicated room on the first floor of the legion building located on Liberty Square, in Sparta, is going to save veterans time and money.
“Not all veterans live close to a VA Medical Center, and the travel can be expensive and time consuming,” he said. “With access to the Veterans Telehealth Site, veterans are offered online primary care, mental health counseling, clinical pharmacy, social work, and much more.”
Lapierre said that once an appointment has been made, the veteran can contact the Veterans Service Office and set up a time to use the new Telehealth Room that is equipped with a desk and computer, a conference table, and other amenities designed for the comfort of those using the room. In addition, someone from the Veterans Service Office will be available to help with basic technical issues should they arise.
“This program will help improve veterans’ health and allow them to get the care they need in a safe, convenient place,” he said.
The Telehealth Room was officially opened following a ceremony, on March 11, where guests from the community were invited to learn about the new program and tour the facility.
Travis Murphy, the assistant commissioner of the Middle Tennessee Department of Veterans Services, was on hand for the event.
“The technology that is downstairs is going to be such a blessing. When veterans are denied, they have the opportunity for hearings. For years, those happened in Nashville – probably the most inconvenient place in Tennessee. All at your own cost,” Murphy said as he talked about using the new technology to aid in receiving benefits, not just meeting with doctors. “We used that technology last week to provide benefits to a veteran to meet with our team of advocates in Nashville. It’s just amazing – and it’s because of the partnerships of Veterans Services Officers and communities across the state. Thank you all so much for the life changing technology.”
Mayor Jeff Young and County Executive Denny Wayne Robinson were both on hand and thanked Matt Elmore, Ben Lomand Connect, and all those involved for paving the way for the opening of the new Telehealth Room.
Before the small crowd was encouraged to visit the room, as well as the Veterans Museum that is also located on the first floor of the American Legion Building, Matt Elmore thanked the community for their support.
“I want to thank everyone for coming out. I want to thank Ben Lomand for being a good, patriotic neighbor and helping to support our veterans,” he concluded
For more information, or to set up an appointment for use of the Telehealth Room, call (931) 836-3595.
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