Clinic Dedicated to Veterans Is Now Open in Hillsville

            A flag raising ceremony was held recently to signify the opening of Valor Healthcare’s Community Based Outpatient Clinic in Hillsville. As with a similar clinic located in Danville, the Hillsville clinic is dedicated to Veterans and Veterans only. While a more formal ribbon cutting and dedication for the clinic will take place later, health care services became available to veterans here on October 1.

            During the flag raising ceremony, I was fortunate to meet Major Chris Matson who is Valor Healthcare’s Vice President of Veterans Outreach. Major Matson joined the Army as a young 2^nd LT in 1990 after having attended college at Georgetown University on a ROTC scholarship. In 2006 he was assigned to Iraq where his mission was to advise and help make the Iraqi Army better and to keep his team alive. With only ten days left in his combat tour his compound (which was an abandoned building) was attacked.  Although his team was accustomed to frequent attacks, this particular assault turned out to be different. As a large truck that was attempting to enter the compound was fired upon, the driver self-detonated approximately 3 tons of explosives contained in the truck.  The explosion was near Major Matson’s side of the building and blew through the room he was in.  His injuries included multiple shrapnel and fragmentation wounds, several facial and skull fractures and a broken wrist.  Major Matson says that the injury was labeled a traumatic brain injury and recovery has been challenging and frustrating at times, but he is now doing well and making the transition as smoothly as possible.

            Major Matson now holds the position of Vice President of Veterans Outreach with Valor Healthcare which builds and manages VA Community Based Outpatient Clinics. His mission here is simple: to get the message out to veterans in the communities where the clinics are located.

            It is extremely important to get the word out to the young veterans coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan.  Because these young men and women don’t typically join the usual Veteran Organizations (VFW, American Legion etc), Major Matson is hoping to use the media to get the word out to these young men and women.  Many veterans who are coming back from war only have 2 years to take advantage of these VA benefits.  If these veterans do not take advantage the benefits the clinics offer during this time, they might be lost after two years post-deployment have passed.  It is important for these recently returning veterans simply to just come into the clinic and enroll and have a check up. All veterans are encouraged to do so. The central location, convenience, and quality of care that the outpatient clinics offer are incentives for veterans to take advantage of the local clinics.

            According to Major Matson, Valor Healthcare is striving to provide the best possible care in a convenient and comfortable environment. He has learned firsthand how Valor aided him during his recovery. He is dedicated to getting the information out to other veterans who have need of healthcare after serving our country so bravely. During my visit and walk through the clinic, the word “dignity” in regard to the patients was emphasized over and over again. The personnel who staff the clinic are determined to provide high quality medical service while providing an atmosphere that preserves the self esteem and dignity of each patient.

            I have personally thanked Major Matson for his service to our country. Let us all thank our veterans who have served and sacrificed to preserve the freedom that we enjoy in this country. It is the least that we can do for those who have given the most for us.

            Thank you for reading and thanks to all veterans for serving. I hope to see you in Hillsville soon.