Veteran Affairs making big investment in Kent County

DOVER, Del. – Veterans Affairs is making a big investment for Kent County veterans. The VA is more than tripling its existing VA clinic in Dover to better accommodate the growing veteran population and need in the area.

“This is a game changer.”

Jake Spruance, a Navy veteran and Chief Engineer for Wilmington VA Medical Center explains, “We have projected growth in Kent County and Sussex County over the next ten years so we’re building a new clinic.”

They’re more than tripling in size compared to their current community based outpatient clinic in Dover that just isn’t making the cut anymore.

“On a daily basis we see up to 116 patients so weekly we average over 500 patient visits,” explains Saino Henries, Veteran Affairs Clinical Manager for Dover’s outpatient clinic and Air Force veteran.

The new clinic will be better equipped bringing much needed space and better access to care right in veterans backyards.

Care that can save lives since the expansion will bring 12 new mental health exam rooms.

“The mental health service is very key to prevent veteran suicide. Veteran suicide rate is very high compared to the regular population, so for us having to offer those services that really helps us mitigate those unfortunate events.”

It’s an expansion that’s desperately needed, one that local veterans deserve.

Spruance says, “This is a great commitment on behalf of our veterans to care for them and meet their needs, it’s a debt that we as Americans owe them.”

“As a veteran you have sacrificed that time to serve your country so we as a nation we owe veterans the most excellent healthcare,” adds Henries.

The new clinic is expected to open in the summer of 2020 and it will be located in the Blue Hen Corporate Center in Dover. Right now the VA is working on the design and development phase of the project.