New Veterans Affairs Clinic opens Greg Whitcomb has his blood pressure checked by LPN Dianne Steinke at the Department of Veterans Affairs outpatient clinic which opened Monday in Green Bay. Whitcomb was the first patient to utilize the new clinic (photo by H. Marc Larson). The clinic will serve up to 1,200 patients a year By Monique Balas News-Chronicle Monday was a new day for Northeast Wisconsin veterans, who won't have to drive as far for treatment, thanks to a new Veterans Affairs clinic that opened on Green Bay's West Side. The new community-based outpatient clinic opened in time to meet its Dec. 1 goal, which was announced in October by U.S. Rep. Mark Green, R-Green Bay. The clinic, at 141 Siegler St., takes over the former Allergy Clinic of Green Bay owned by retiring doctor and veteran James Mattson. "It went really quite well, considering we were on a short time to get it up and going," said Tim Deacy, a laboratory supervisor at the Appleton Veterans Affairs Clinic who helped at the new clinic Monday. "We are seeing quite a lot of traffic, just checking the building out, a lot of people coming in finding out what they need to do." He was splitting his time between his work in Appleton and helping the staff sort out first-day business. Dr. Michael Gallagher will move his practice from the Appleton clinic to Green Bay. The rest of the Green Bay staff is a registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, patient service assistant, half-time social worker and half-time health technician. Gallagher said one patient received care on Monday, but most of the day was spent transferring files, moving furniture and getting acquainted with the clinic's computer system. He said the clinic would gradually begin to add patients as its staff moves into the clinic, which he expects will happen by the end of the month. In the meantime, the Appleton clinic is lending its physician, clerk and social worker. "We're glad to have it opened, and to get it going so we can serve the veteran population in the area," Deacy said. Green has been pushing for a Green Bay clinic since 1999. "It's been painfully obvious that we needed to expand the capacity of the VA Hospital in Northeast Wisconsin, and just as obvious that Green Bay needed a clinic," Green said. "With the opening of the clinic on-time, we're beginning to fulfill our promises to veterans - when I say we, I mean Americans. Secondly, I was very gratified to see this morning how quickly the clinic is going to be used." Many vets in Northeast Wisconsin must travel to Appleton, Milwaukee or Iron Mountain, Mich., for free healthcare. Nearly 1,000 Northeast Wisconsin veterans are on waiting lists for treatment in Veterans Affairs clinics; the purpose of the Green Bay clinic is largely to remove the backlog. Green said the clinic's access to several local highways - State 29, U.S. 41, State 172 and U.S. 43 - is good for aging veterans who would otherwise have to drive 35 miles from Appleton, which can be dangerous in the winter. "It really is very convenient for veterans who are in outlying areas," Green said. Overall, he said it won't be the end to healthcare of Northeast Wisconsin veterans, but it's an important step in the process. "We'll be having more and more veterans who are in need of care," Green said. "But the fact that the clinic doors are open today is a great step toward fulfilling America's promises for veterans." FYI: The new clinic is at 141 Siegler St. The phone number is (920) 497-3126. Hours are 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday.