News

Veterans Affairs outpatient clinic opens

  • Published
  • By Will Ackerman
  • Veterans Affairs Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. --  Veterans health care in the Bellevue area is now more accessible with the March 25 opening of the Department of Veterans Affairs Community-Based Outpatient Clinic. 

The VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System facility is in the lower level of Offutt Air Force Base's Ehrling Bergquist Clinic. 

VA officials hosted a grand opening at the clinic April 25 to showcase the facility to base leadership, elected officials from Nebraska congressional, state and city officials. 

Col. Robert L. Maness, 55th Wing vice commander, Col. Linda L. Eaton, 55th Medical Group commander and Bellevue Mayor Ed Babbitt helped Al Washko, VA NWIHCS director, cut the ribbon to officially open the clinic. 

The clinic's staff, led by Dr. Erica Cichowski, held an open house for veterans to tour the facility and learn about the services that are offered. 

VA's Bellevue clinic offers veterans in the service area primary health care services (similar to family practice medicine), preventative health services including immunizations, electrocardiograms, routine gynecological services and laboratory tests. 

"For many years, veterans in Nebraska and western Iowa have been asking for the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide health care facilities closer to where they live," said Cindy Sestak, VA NWIHCS Assistant Director in remarks at the grand opening. "Today, we are honored to answer that request for more than 4,000 Veterans in Bellevue and the surrounding area with the dedication of this new community based outpatient clinic." 

The clinic is open Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except Offutt AFB down days and during base closures due to inclement weather. During regular hours, veterans can call 591-4500 to speak to a staff member at the clinic. After 4 p.m. on weekdays, weekends and holidays veterans can call the health care advice nurse at (866) 687-7382 for answers to health care questions. 

For more information about VA health care benefits, or to enroll, visit www.nebraska.va.gov.