By Erika Norton, WPAOG staff
The Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs announced an expansion of health services for veterans, soldiers, cadets and other beneficiaries at Keller Army Community Hospital at West Point and VA Hudson Valley Health Care System locations.
Under this partnership, Veterans in the Hudson Valley region can receive care at Keller from both Keller and VA clinicians, and expands specialty access to select healthcare services including select gynecological services, traumatic brain injury care and inpatient behavioral health care. This partnership aims to provide improved access, quality, efficiency and effectiveness of healthcare to area Veterans, soldiers, cadets and other beneficiaries.
“We are so thankful to the VA Hudson Valley and Keller Army Community Hospital for establishing this partnership that will provide world-class care to our Veterans and military community in the area,” said Mark Bieger ’91, President & CEO of the West Point Association of Graduates. “This agreement demonstrates the power of partnership and what is possible when capable organizations are linked closely in purpose.”
The partnership is the first of its kind in New York and is part of a larger strategic plan to modernize the VA health care system nationwide. Veterans enrolled with the VA Hudson Valley Health Care System will be eligible to receive the following care at Keller:
- Women’s Health & Wellness
- Dermatology
- Orthopedics
- Pathology/Laboratory Services
- Radiology Diagnostic Services
- Pharmacy Services
- General Surgery/Endoscopy Services
- Internal Medicine
- Nutrition Care
Congressman Pat Ryan, a 2004 West Point graduate who represents the 18th Congressional District of New York, shared how making these health care options available closer to home is a gamechanger for the over 40,000 veterans he represents. He also shared that he spent a birthday at Keller as a cadet getting an X-ray on his ankle, so seeing Keller hospital thrive is personal for him.
“I’ve received such great care as a cadet here, both at Keller hospital and at the clinic, and now as a participant and patient in the VA Hudson Valley system” Ryan said. “To see this all come full circle, not just through my own eyes, but on behalf of all those patriots that I represent that have served our country, I’m proud of this work.”
