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Rotarians hear from VA rep on outpatient clinic in Franklin

Chandra D. Johnson, RN-BSN, administrator for the Franklin Community Based Outpatient Veterans Administration Clinic, was the guest-speaker at Tuesday’s Rotary meeting in Franklin.
Her professed aim in addressing the attendees was to foster civic relationships to better serve veterans.
She opened with a run-down of the services available at the Franklin clinic.
Among the services mentioned were: laboratory services, individual and group counseling, immunizations, electrocardiograms, annual physical exams, acute and chronic outpatient services and mental health consultations.
Johnson also explained the new telecom consultation resource available.
She said that veteran enrollees at the clinic could now use a video conference network to access a wider array of treatment from providers in other cities. This she said has resulted in the Franklin clinic’s broadening its utility in treating its 640 patients.
She also discussed an upcoming mobile phone app which will be compatible with iPhones and android devices.
She said that VA Video Connect will allow Franklin clinic patients to receive treatment from VA facilities through their mobile devices or laptops. This, like video conferencing, will allow for greater access for local veterans in need of medical assistance, but who cannot come to the clinic.
When asked what she considers her biggest obstacle at the Franklin clinic, Johnson said, “Visibility,” the fact that so many citizens are unaware that Franklin even has a VA clinic.
She said the clinic has been at 603 Haifleigh St. for 10 years and people still respond with surprise when they hear about it.
She expressed gratitude for having linked up with Beverly Domengeaux, executive director of St. Mary Council on Aging, and agreed to work with Domengeaux on transportation access for senior veterans in the care of COA.
She closed the address by reminding folks of the VA-sponsored town hall meeting, that night at the Franklin Recreation Center at 6 p.m., where questions of VA programs and access would be answered through dialogue.
To learn more about the Franklin VA clinic, call 337-828-9092, or visit www.neworleans.va.gov.

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Franklin Banner-Tribune
P.O. Box 566, Franklin, LA 70538
Phone: 337-828-3706
Fax: 337-828-2874

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