WASHINGTON — Representative Sam Farr (D-Calif.), joined by U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert A. McDonald and Director of the Army Staff Lieutenant General Gary Cheek, will deliver the Major General William H. Gourley VA-DOD Outpatient Clinic to Central Coast Veterans, military retirees, active duty service members, and their families on Friday, October 14, 2016 at 10 a.m.
“It’s been a lot of hard work over two decades to break down silos at the VA, federal and state governments to accomplish the delivery of this health facility,” said Rep. Farr. “Thanks to General Gourley’s vision and dedication to serving those who served our nation, this new health clinic will provide comprehensive care for our service members and their families throughout their career and into retirement.”
Rep. Farr secured federal funding to build the joint clinic and led the collaboration between the VA, DOD, and local governments to complete this project. Additionally, he authored legislation that was signed into law by President Obama in July 2014 to name the health center after General Gourley.
The Major General William H. Gourley VA-DOD Outpatient Clinic is the second joint health care facility in the nation and the first built specifically for joint healthcare from concept to completion by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Department of Defense (DOD).
General Gourley, who passed away in 2008, was instrumental in the facility’s development. His interest in designating a section of Fort Ord as a joint clinic for Veterans and the retired military community, as well as active duty service members and their families began when the base closed in 1994. Because of his efforts, the clinic is expected to serve more than 80,000 people.
Once fully operational in spring 2017, the clinic will deliver health care using the Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) model. PACT delivers accessible, coordinated, comprehensive and patient-centered care by providing each patient with a team of care providers focusing on wellness, prevention and health promotion.
General Gourley’s family is scheduled to attend and provide remarks during the dedication ceremony.