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From Staff Reports
ALTOONA -- On Friday, July 7, a ribbon cutting was held at the James E. Van Zandt VA Medical Center (JEVZ VAMC) to present a new operating room (OR) - the third OR housed at the JEVZ VAMC's Altoona Facility.
The OR is a newly renovated, 342 square foot net surgical space designed for Orthopedic, Gastrointestinal, Dental, Ophthalmological, Gynecological, Urological, Ear Nose and Throat, and General Surgeries.
"The addition of a third operating room allows us to continue our mission of providing Veteran-centered care - by allowing us to complete more daily surgical procedures that are beneficial, and oftentimes life-changing, for our Nation's Heroes," said Chief of Staff, Dr. Angela Rowe. "This new OR also ensures Veterans are continuing to receive procedures expeditiously, with the most up-to-date equipment and technology."
The JEVZ VAMC invested $70,000 into the new state-of-the-art operating room to complement its two existing OR's.
"The opening of a third fully-equipped operating room at our facility was motivated by our mission to expand services and access to care for our nation’s Veterans," said Dr. Emily Smith-Straesser, Chief of Surgical Services. "The availability of three operating rooms allows for an increase in scheduling flexibility and volume of procedural cases, thereby improving access to surgical care. The third OR also improves space utilization within our ambulatory surgery clinic and provides the opportunity to expand surgical specialty care for our Veterans."
Congressman John Joyce was present for the opening of the new OR.
"We see new opportunities to treat the more than 50,000 veterans who call the 13th Congressional District home. I want to thank Dr. Angela Rowe, and Dr. Emily Smith-Straesser for their dedication to this project and to our Veterans here in central Pennsylvania," Joyce said.
During the last three years, the JEVC VAMC has grown to more than 60 services, added 400 team members, and expanded its infrastructure footprint by adding more than 70,000 sq. feet of additional clinical and administrative space.