| W. G. (Bill) Hefner VA Medical Center | |
|---|---|
| Veterans Health Administration | |
  | |
| Geography | |
| Location | 1601 Brenner Avenue Salisbury, NC 28144, Salisbury, North Carolina, United States |
| Coordinates | 35°41′03″N 80°29′14″W / 35.684032°N 80.487181°W |
| Organization | |
| Funding | Government hospital |
| History | |
| Opened | 1953 |
| Links | |
| Website | www |
| Lists | Hospitals in North Carolina |
The W. G. (Bill) Hefner VA Medical Center (also called the Salisbury VA Medical Center) is the Veterans Health Administration medical center located in Salisbury, North Carolina. Originally opened in 1953 as a psychiatric hospital named Salisbury VA Hospital, the center has expanded its scope of services and was renamed to honor long-term congressman from North Carolina, Bill Hefner in 1999.
History
editWhen the United States government announced that it planned to build a psychiatric hospital in North Carolina, nearly every city in the state campaigned for it. Salisbury was selected as the site in 1944,[1] but the construction plan was cancelled in 1949 due to some budget constraints.[2] However, Representative Robert Doughton's district covered Rowan County then and he used his influence as Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee to have the Veterans Administration reconsider cancelling the plan.[1]
The site of the facility was around what was then known as Macay's Millpond and was previously used by the Salisbury County Club up until 1924.[1]
It was built in three and a half years at a cost of $ 20 million. It originally opened with 973 beds and just over 1000 employees.[1]
In early 2000, a nationwide move to improve security at VA facilities saw the arming and training of VA police. This would prove significant later in the year as a shooting in the emergency room by a patient prompted several more changes in security at the facility. In August of 2000, a patient brought to the hospital by a Rowan County Sheriff's Deputy was being treated in the emergency room when he shot the doctor treating him through the heart. The doctor was treated and later survived, but the patient died in a shoot-out with VA police. Patient searches were implemented following the incident.[3][4][5]
It is the fourth-largest employer in Rowan County.[6]
Campus
editIn late 2012, construction was completed on a new fence for the Brenner Avenue side of the campus. The total cost of the project was $ 643,901. It was put up for multiple reasons, including improved security, aesthetic appeal and as part of a push by the Veterans Administration to physically mark property boundaries.[7]
Buildings
editA new initiative to improve Building 42's long-term care capabilities began called the Long-term Care Center of Excellence Renovations. The first phase was completed in 2012 and provided a "Main Street" feel to the area surrounding the building. Shops and offices were constructed, as well as entertainment areas. Hospice facilities were constructed, also, along with what was called a "hoptel", a hotel with access to medical needs for patients.[8]
National Cemetery
editAdministration
editThe Hefner VAMC is part of the VA Mid-Atlantic Health Care Network (VISN 6).[9]
Services
editOutpatient clinics
editAlliances
editSupporting organizations
editCanteen services
editAFGE local
editCredit union
editEvents
editSee also
edit- [[]]
References
edit- ^ a b c d Brawley, James S (1977). Rowan County: a brief history. Raleigh, North Carolina: North Carolina Division of Archives and History. pp. 132–133.
- ^ "Salisbury Site for VA Hospital". The Palm Beach Post. UP. July 20, 1949. Retrieved January 14, 2013.
- ^ Post, Rose; Jenkins, Scott (August 7, 2000). "Doctor's shooting at VA may be catalyst for change". The Salisbury Post. Archived from the original on November 5, 2005. Retrieved January 14, 2013.
- ^ "VA searching all patients". The Salisbury Post. August 24, 2000. Archived from the original on February 10, 2005. Retrieved January 14, 2013.
- ^ "Elderly patient shoots VA hospital doctor". The Robesonian. AP. August 5, 2000. Retrieved January 14, 2013.
- ^ "Major Employers and Industries 2011". RowanWorks.com. Salisbury-Rowan Economic Development Commission. Retrieved January 15, 2013.
- ^ Wineka, Mark (January 9, 2013). "Despite the cost, VA's new fence is practical, attractive". The Salisbury Post. Retrieved January 15, 2013.
- ^ Wineka, Mark (November 28, 2012). "Hefner VA officially opens new 'hoptel,' 'Main Street' and hospice". The Salisbury Post. Retrieved January 15, 2013.
- ^ "Salisbury Veterans Affairs Medical Center". United States Department of Veterans Affairs. Retrieved January 15, 2013.
- Garloch, Karen (November 15, 2008). "VA hospital in Salisbury may end surgery, ER". The Charlotte Observer. Retrieved January 14, 2013.
- "Fight over veterans hospital heating up". WBTV. October 7, 2008. Retrieved January 14, 2013.
- "Commission has questions for VA hospital". The Times-News. AP. April 9, 2007. Retrieved January 14, 2013.
- Minn, Karissa (October 09, 2011). "Report says VA surgeons overstepped their boundaries". The Salisbury Post. Archived from the original on December 12, 2011. Retrieved January 14, 2013.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - "Salisbury V.A. surgical unit to stay open Coble says". The Lexington Dispatch. March 20, 1992. Retrieved January 14, 2013.
- "Feds found problems at vet hospital in 2005". The Wilmington Star-News. March 10, 2007. Retrieved January 14, 2013.
- "Ex-VA hospital patient frees hostage unharmed". The Robesonian. AP. April 26, 1989. Retrieved January 14, 2013.
External links
edit[[Category:Buildings and structures in Rowan County, North Carolina]] [[Category:Hospitals established in 1953]] [[Category:Hospitals in North Carolina]] [[Category:Salisbury, North Carolina]] [[Category:United States Department of Veterans Affairs]]