VA Clinic ‘virtual’ no more as operations officially open

PORT ANGELES – The new Veterans Affairs Clinic lost its “virtual” Tuesday.

“Starting today, I think we should eliminate the word ‘virtual’ because this clinic is very real,” Eric Lewis, CEO of Olympic Medical Center, said as the facility officially opened.

“We’re banning that word,” echoed U.S. Rep. Norm Dicks, D-Belfair, in an interview with the Peninsula Daily News.

“Virtual” was spliced to the name because the VA doesn’t own the building at 1005 Georgiana St., but instead leases it from OMC for $1 a year.

Whatever you call it, it’s the first of its kind in the nation.

It opened ceremonially on Tuesday with speeches from Dicks, U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Freeland, and officials of the VA and the hospital.

Later in the day, Dicks also toured the Jefferson County Courthouse clock tower.

At the VA Clinic, a crowd of about 70 people gathered for the program and a tour of the facility, which housed a two-doctor private practice before OMC bought it.

Many heads in the audience were covered with American Legion, Marine Corps League or Veterans of Foreign Wars caps.

More in News

Marine Center receives $15 million

Funding comes from Inflation Reduction Act

Port Townsend creates new department to oversee creative district

Melody Sky Weaver appointed director of Community Service Department

Orca that carried dead calf for weeks is mourning again

The mother orca nudges her dead calf with her snout, draping it… Continue reading

Weekly flight operations scheduled

There will be field carrier landing practice operations for aircraft… Continue reading

Will Barrett of Port Townsend and his cairn terrier Harris brave the cold and wet weather on Friday to walk around the Marine Science Center pier at Fort Worden State Park. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Rainy walk

Will Barrett of Port Townsend and his cairn terrier Harris brave the… Continue reading

Kate Dean.
Kate Dean reflects on Jefferson County career

Will work for state office of Public Lands

The Hub, a place to form community connections and incubate ideas, hosts a Night Market on the third Friday of every month. CEO Roxanne Greeson invited people to drop by for one of their events, or stop by between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, to see what they think of the space. (Roxanne Greeson)
The Hub aims to incubate ideas, grow community

PA business hosts spaces for artists, storefront to sell creations

Food resources are available across Peninsula

Officials say demand continues to rise over previous years

D
Readers contribute nearly $100K to Peninsula Home Fund

Donations can be made for community grants this spring

About 20 people took to the waters of Lake Pleasant on New Year’s morning at the Clallam County park during the Polar Bear plunge. (Lonnie Archibald/for Peninsula Daily News)
Taking the plunge

About 20 people took to the waters of Lake Pleasant on New… Continue reading

Clallam awards $5 million in grants

Economic development, housing at forefront