Women are the fastest growing population of veterans coming out of the service today, but less than half of those who qualify for benefits are seeking care in Poplar Bluff, said Dr. Patricia Hall, director of John J. Pershing VA Medical Center.
The VA hopes a new women's clinic, and an emphasis on the needs of female veterans will help change that.
The clinic opened Tuesday, drawing women who served in the Women's Army Corps in the 1950s, with the U.S. Air Force during the Gulf War, in the military during conflicts in Afghanistan and many others.
"We want to be the place where all veterans, including women veterans like myself, choose to come for their health care," said Hall. "This is just the beginning."
The first-floor clinic offers primary care and women's health services, with the hope to bring in additional programs, including mental health, said Martinie Franks, women veterans program manager.
"We're going to offer comprehensive care for women," said Franks. "We hope to expand down this whole hallway. We want mental health embedded inside women's health. We want women's specific groups ... Our hope is to grow our women's population."
Growth in the number of women served by this clinic means sustainability for the program, added nurse practitioner Candice Stansfield, the current women's health provider.
Also important in this effort is providing a place for women who may not feel comfortable being treated in the same space as male veterans, said Hall.
Approximately 1 in 4 female veterans have experienced military sexual trauma, she said.
"That number was just staggering for me. ...We could have that in our backyard too, so let's provide options and choice for health care," she said.
Poplar Bluff is fortunate to have this facility, said Poplar Bluff Mayor Susan McVey. The city council is currently working with the VA to earn a veteran friendly city designation.
"I thank you for your vision. I thank you for the stability of the VA," said McVey.
Women veterans have been asked to donate photographs of themselves during their service time, or original art work to help decorate the clinic.
Poplar Bluff joins other VAs in St. Louis, Marion, Illinois and other parts of the country in opening a women's clinic.
The clinic is open 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday for appointments. Same day service is available for urgent needs.