PEYTON NEELY The Marietta Times Mark Murdock, acting director of the Marietta VA Clinic, talks with World War II veterans Herman Zerger, 93, of Woodsfield, and Albert Hupp, 98, of Summerfield, during the one-year anniversary celebration at the new location on Wednesday.

Veterans from every branch of the military filled the Marietta VA Clinic on Wednesday to celebrate one year of the clinic being at is new location in the Reno Business Park.

“This is a nice partnership we have since settling in here,” said Lora Cunningham, registered nurse and nurse manager at the Marietta VA Clinic. “We haven’t had any complaints.”

The former VA clinic was located at 418 Colgate Drive and had only 6,000 square feet of facility space whereas the new location is a 10,000-square-foot facility. The location now, at 27843 Ohio 7 in Marietta, was part of a nationwide initiative to provide an innovative, open environment for veterans to be provided with all their health needs. According to Acting Director Mark Murdock, layouts for VA clinics throughout the United States will be very similar.

“Rather than the patient revolving around the team, the team now revolves around the patient,” he said. “This new design helps optimize the health of our patients by making it easier to access. We go to the patient rather than having them run all over the place.”

Cunningham said this design has allowed for her team to work more efficiently while collaborating together.

“We have the ability here to get people into their appointment as easily as we can,” she said. “It has made a huge difference to have this shared workspace. We can access the patients much quicker.”

The VA clinic, which serves a majority of patients within Washington County but also those from surrounding counties including Noble, Monroe and Morgan, currently offers a variety of outpatient services including health and wellness checks. There’s primary care, pharmacy optometry, psychiatric services, social work and even a neurologist. The neurologist is something new offered by the clinic. Prior to this move, patients would have to travel to the nearest neurologist for services but now there’s a neurologist that not only helps Washington County patients but the surrounding counties.

“That’s the beauty of our system,” said Murdock. “Our patients can get everything done in one visit. We have all the services they can imagine in one building.”

Veterans using these services agree that the change was for the better. World War II veteran Albert Hupp, 98, of Summerfield, said he goes there for his annual check-up.

“They take care of me here,” he said. “I enjoy everyone here. They’re all so nice.”

Another World War II veteran, Herman Zerger, 93, of Woodsfield, comes to the VA Clinic for his regular doctor’s visit every year.

“They treat me the best here,” said Zerger. “I can’t say enough good about them. I talk about everyone here like they’re my own family.”

Cunningham said it’s a privilege being able to serve the veterans who once served the country.

“We are very grateful for the new location and very grateful for our veterans,” she said. “It really is a privilege to be able to care for all of them.”

The outpatient clinic is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. It is staffed by three full-time providers. Those with questions can call 1-800-358-8262.

About the

Marietta VA Clinic

¯ The outpatient clinic is open Monday through Friday.

¯ Hours are from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

¯ The clinic is staffed by three full-time providers.

¯ Those with questions can call 1-800-358-8262.

Source: Lora Cunningham, registered nurse and nurse manager at the Marietta VA Clinic.