The opening of a new outpatient clinic for veterans in Cranberry has proved to be just what the doctor ordered.

"It's wonderful. Our veterans are happy," said Ginny Yelland, who coordinates the community-based clinics for the VA Butler Healthcare -- which operates the veterans medical center in Butler Township and five off-site clinics.

The Cranberry clinic, in Freedom Square plaza along Freedom Road, opened Dec. 14.

In the first week, some 57 patients were seen by a physician and a physician's assistant, said Ms. Yelland, who described the patient load as "starting slow." Ultimately, she expects 25 to 28 patients a day.

Services at the clinic include primary care, laboratory and radiology. Staff from the Butler VA will visit the clinic weekly, beginning Jan. 8, to provide behavioral health services such as mental health and addiction counseling.

The contracted provider, Valor Healthcare, operates more than a dozen outpatient clinics for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in nine states.

The Butler VA has two other contracted clinics. One is in Foxburg, Clarion County, at the Allegheny-Clarion Valley Medical Center, where Clarion Hospital provides the services; the other is in Kittanning at the Armstrong County Memorial Hospital. The remaining clinics, operated by the VA itself, are in Hermitage, Mercer County, and New Castle, Lawrence County.

Ms. Yelland said the new Cranberry clinic has generated "a lot of positive feedback from the community." She said letters were sent to all veterans living near Cranberry to let them know that a new clinic was opening and their case files could be transferred there from wherever they are being seen.

Also, someone who is not currently a VA patient can become one, Ms. Yelland said. "We're hoping to pick up new veterans who haven't been seen [within our system] before. We're hoping the convenience of the location will be appealing."

The clinic is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. Appointments can be made by calling 724-741-3131.

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