VA to bring specialty health care to veterans with new clinic in Vero Beach early in 2025

VERO BEACH — Indian River County veterans needing specialty medical services have had to trek to Riviera Beach in Palm Beach County, to the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center. That will change in six months, as a specialty VA clinic, operating in conjunction with the established primary-care facility, is expected to open at Riverside Medical Center.

The clinic will include audiology, cardiology, chiropractic, dental, dermatology, neurology, optometry, physical therapy, prosthetics, podiatry, pulmonology, urology and laboratory care for veterans. The established clinic provides primary and mental-health care.

“This is a long-awaited benefit that is owed to our Indian River County veterans, and I am pleased to hear the VA is moving in this direction,” said U.S. Rep. Bill Posey, R-Rockledge, whose district includes Indian River County. “Keeping our commitments to our veterans is a top priority.

Advocating for needs

Veterans have long advocated for a closer specialty clinic, according to Posey's office.

The county is home to more than 14,000 veterans, or 9.2% of the population.

The 20,000-square-foot clinic within the medical plaza — at 372 17th St. — will be staffed by West Palm Beach VA partners, according to Posey's office. Before services can begin, the VA will renovate the site and overhaul its treatment and examination rooms.

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The VA already operates primary-care and mental health clinics in Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Fort Pierce, Okeechobee, and Stuart.

A Port St. Lucie clinic provides audiology, physical therapy, chiropractic, PTSD and prosthetic care, according to West Palm VA spokesperson Andrea Madrazo.

A 120,000 square-foot clinic, planned for 2028, will serve ambulatory, surgical, primary care, mental health, radiology, dental, infusion, pharmacy and prosthetic needs, according to Madrazo.

Nick Slater is TCPalm's Indian River County Watchdog reporter. You can reach him at Nick.Slater@tcpalm.com and 224-830-2875 .

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: VA to bring specialty health care to veterans with new clinic in Vero Beach early in 2025