Veterans celebrate opening of new 'showcase' Green Bay clinic

With a heartfelt salute to veterans past and present, the federal government has dedicated a new veterans health care clinic in Green Bay.

Hundreds of veterans and others cheered as the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs celebrated the grand opening Thursday of the new $60 million clinic on Green Bay’s east side.

“America’s veterans deserve the very best,” said Robert Petzel, the department’s under secretary for health and keynote speaker at dedication ceremonies for the new clinic at 2851 University Ave. that officially opens Monday.

The government announced in 2009 that it would build a new medical care facility in Green Bay to replace a much smaller clinic on the city’s west side.

The new 161,000-square-foot clinic represents a significant expansion of services for veterans who have long had to travel to Milwaukee or other distant locales for certain types of care.

In the new facility, an estimated 200 doctors, nurses and other medical professionals are expected to serve as many as 20,000 patients annually with services ranging from mental health and radiology to dental care and optometry. Although strictly an outpatient facility, it will also offer minor surgical services such as colonoscopies, cataract removal and orthopedic procedures.

Services will be introduced in phases over a period of several months.

Officially known as the Milo C. Huempfner VA Outpatient Clinic, the facility honors the same local World War II hero for whom the previous west-side clinic was named.

Huempfner’s daughter, Jackie Schneider, led the crowd estimated at 900 people Thursday in singing “God Bless America.” Schneider also recalled that her father was a deeply patriotic man who embodied and passed along the values of family and country.

“If Milo were here today, I believe he would stand and salute each and every veteran,” she said.

Veterans groups have pushed for years to get improved health care services in Northeastern Wisconsin. Joining them to celebrate the new clinic Thursday were U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin and former U.S. Rep. Steve Kagen, both of whom fought in Washington to get funding for the project.

Referring to the many veterans in attendance, Baldwin said: “We are standing with you, always.”

After years of debate and lobbying, construction of the new clinic began in October 2011 under the management of developer Summit Smith Healthcare Facilities, based near Milwaukee.

Jeffrey Murawsky, a regional administrator in the Department of Veterans Affairs, recalled the “long journey” involved in getting the clinic built. Local veterans, veteran group leaders and government representatives helped to move the project along, he said.

Joking that Milwaukee is nice place to visit, Murawsky said he suspects area veterans and their families will appreciate not having to travel that far any longer for most types of care.

“I know it’s been a long time coming,” he said. “And I’m sure glad to see it happen.”

Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt told the crowd he is proud to have the facility within the city limits. He noted that it will create jobs and tax revenue, and that it could spur other development related to health care or veterans. More importantly, however, is the fact that the clinic is dedicated to providing quality care for the men and women of Northeastern Wisconsin who have served in the armed forces, Schmitt said.

“This facility will stand as a showcase to honor those who have served,” he said. “This is one more installment on the debt of gratitude we owe each and every veteran.”