Southwest Montana veterans and public officials gathered in celebration Friday for the opening of a new health care clinic in Butte.
A United States flag was raised up the flagpole outside the clinic, which will provide health care to up to 2,100 veterans a year in southwest Montana.
Mike Lawson from Butte served in the Marines and cut the ceremonial opening ribbon.
"It’s a modern clinic. It’s up to date. It’s roomy, lots of room. And the new concept that the VA has to treat veterans here, the veteran will be the center of attention.”
That new concept in the VA health care system is called ‘PACT,’ or Patient Aligned Care Team. It aims to provide more personalized health care by teaming up multiple physicians to work on a patient’s needs.
The new 11,000 square foot clinic in Butte is about four times larger than the regional VA health care facility in Anaconda it’s replacing. Transportation services are available to veterans who need a ride to the new clinic.
The facility will open its doors to patients on May 10.