New oncology and infusion clinic opens at Chattanooga VA clinic

The ribbon cutting for the VA Clinic’s new oncology and infusion clinic in Chattanooga.

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- A new resource for veterans has opened up.

The Veteran’s Affairs Outpatient Clinic in Chattanooga has opened up its new oncology services and infusion center.

This is at their Pointe Centre clinic off of East Brainerd Road.

Previously, veterans diagnosed with cancer had to travel to Nashville or received cancer treatment elsewhere in the Chattanooga area.

Kerri Baxter, the acting director for the VA’s Tennessee Valley Health System, said, “(Having to travel so far) is a significant burden for people who are navigating physical, emotional, and logistical concerns. Being able to align themselves so close to a cancer diagnosis center with our new oncology services and infusion suite helps us provides critical care services closer to vets in Chattanooga. Meaning less time on the road families and caregivers have to spend and more time  focusing on healing.”

This is through the Close to Me program, which was inspired by the actions of a nurse in Minnesota.

Dr. Sally York, an oncologist said, “The origins began with a nursing service in Minneapolis, Minnesota and a nurse who said you know these veterans are so far away, maybe I should take the treatment to them. They started out in 2021 and it became sort of a model.

This program is part of an effort to expand such care to veterans in more rural areas, and is already making a difference as 12 veterans have been seen at the infusion clinic.

This is one of 30 new clinics across the country, and the only such one in Tennessee.