RUMFORD – The Rumford Veterans Affairs Outpatient Healthcare Clinic moved a half-block Monday to 431 Franklin St.
With the change from 209 Lincoln Ave. came nearly double the space, said Penelope Graham, coordinator of five similar veterans’ facilities around the state.
When the original Rumford clinic opened in March 1998, the clinic was staffed by one nurse practitioner and a half-time doctor who served about 750 veterans. Now, Graham said, 2,300 veterans from throughout western Maine are served by a full-time doctor, nurse practitioner and physician’s assistant, two full-time registered nurses, a full-time licensed practical nurse, a part-time licensed practical nurse, and two medical support staffers.
The new veterans’ clinic site, at the Western Maine Internal Medicine building owned by Bob Every, uses two-thirds of the first floor and half of the third floor. The remaining space is occupied by other medical providers.
Rumford Hospital owns the Lincoln Avenue building. Hospital spokeswoman Jane Bubar said the hospital uses the upper floors for storage. At least one doctor as well as other hospital-related medical providers are expected to move in. She said hospital-affiliated Swift River Health Care may also use some of the space for its functions.
The former veterans’ clinic will be renamed 209 Lincoln Avenue.
Graham said more use of the local clinic is the result of several factors, including greater awareness of its availability and more veterans.
“Rumford has a lot of veterans,” Graham said.
In addition to veterans of World War II and the Korean and Vietnam wars, those from the Desert Storm, Afghanistan and Iraq conflicts are eligible, she said. Specific eligibility requirements may be obtained by calling the clinic at 369-3200.
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