A new home for Nassau's veterans
V.A. Health Clinic opens in East Meadow
As she toured the new Veterans Health Clinic at the Nassau University Medical Center a week before its official grand opening, Legislator Norma Gonsalves could hardly conceal her emotions.
“You have no idea how excited I am,” the longtime East Meadow resident said. “Tears are coming to my eyes.”
A few veterans sat quietly in the sparkling new lobby, waiting to be called on the fourth day of appointments at the clinic. The scene signaled the end of an 11-year effort that was anything but smooth for supporters of the clinic’s move from Plainview to more spacious confines in East Meadow.
For veterans, namely members of East Meadow’s VFW Post No. 2736, it was Gonsalves’ tenacity and an unrelenting attitude that led them to the clinic’s long-awaited ribbon cutting on April 8 at Building Q of the NUMC. The veterans, led by Post Commander Sal Pellegrino, 81, worked in tandem with the legislator, through years of ups and downs to open an upgraded, centrally located facility.
Mainly because of his leadership to get a new V.A. Clinic, Pellegrino was the Herald’s Person of the Year in 2009. With members of VFW Post No. 2736, Pellegrino stood proudly at the grand opening, as the group sported T-shirts denoting the organization’s involvement and an expression of appreciation for Gonsalves’ efforts.
The new 11,000 square-foot clinic is double the size of the previous center in Plainview, which was long criticized for its dilapidated condition and limited space. It includes more examination rooms, 14 in total, and a state-of-the-art triage center for patients, as well as improved space for staff. Furthermore, the clinic highly accessible to the parkways and veterans can park in an adjacent lot or utilize buses stopping at the NUMC.
The clinic, operated by the Veterans Administration, serves 60 to 80 patients a day, and is expected to take in 5,000 visits a year. It provides veterans a local option for those seeking primary care and mental health services — the main V.A. medical center is located in Northport.
