Lake Havasu City VA Clinic Opening Pushed Back by Two Months

The opening of the new Veterans Clinic in Lake Havasu City, originally slated for mid-August, has been pushed to closer to October or November.

Max Efrein, public affairs officer for Northern Arizona VA Health Care, disclosed that unexpected delays have impeded the project. New infrastructure requirements and logistical issues in acquiring materials have been the main hurdles. Efrein indicated that construction is now expected to conclude by Sept. 30, with an additional four weeks dedicated to finalizing equipment and staff orientations.

Ahead of the anticipated launch, Northern Arizona VA Health Care plans to host an open-house event in mid-October or early November. Efrein noted that more details regarding the event and official opening will be released once available.

Significantly larger than its predecessor, the new facility will boast an expanded lobby and nearly double the parking space. The new location promises various new and expanded services, including five primary care teams, larger virtual dermatology and retinal rooms, and a more extensive lab for blood draws. There is also provision for mental health services, which will feature a specialized suite for individual and group counseling.

“As stewards of our Veterans’ well-being, we’re committed to transforming every corner of our facilities into beacons of healing and hope, ensuring every Veteran receives the exemplary care they deserve,” said Steve Sample, Medical Center Director for Northern Arizona VA. He added that the extensive clinic will meet veterans’ healthcare needs in Mohave County for generations to come.

Women’s services will also see significant enhancements, with two dedicated health exam rooms and a lactation room for nursing mothers. Additionally, the building will include a large conference room that can be partitioned into two smaller rooms for meetings or events. Veterans will have access to five virtual telehealth rooms, enabling video consultations with specialists from various fields, including mental health, endocrinology, pulmonology, and neurology.

Located at 145 Park Ave., the new facility is just a mile and a half from the existing clinic, and it neighbored the south end of Rotary Park.

An Arizona Veteran Survey conducted in 2023 gathered nearly 9,000 responses from across all 15 counties. The biennial survey aims to understand the needs of Arizona’s military and veteran populations. Results revealed that 20.75% of respondents are currently seeking mental health care, with 76.45% using VA healthcare. Additionally, 64.62% reported concerns over injuries or disabilities, and 35.47% expressed having fair or poor mental and physical health.