More than 32,000 Florida Veterans have enrolled in VA care over the past year alone
WASHINGTON — Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced the official opening of one of its newest clinics in South Tampa, Florida. Sabal Park Clinic provides a comprehensive suite of services – including primary care, mental health, social work, and dietetics.
The clinic has the capacity to serve up to 3,600 Veterans and will eventually expand its offerings to encompass laboratory services, pharmacy consultations, nutritional support, and social work assistance. The clinic will serve eligible Veterans in metro Tampa and surrounding areas of Hillsborough County.
This is a part of VA’s comprehensive efforts to expand access to VA and bring new Veterans to VA, because VA is proven to be the best, most affordable health care in America for Veterans. Over the past year alone, more than 400,000 Veterans have enrolled in VA care — a 30% increase year over year – including more than 32,000 Veterans in Florida. Additionally, more than 91% of Veterans report trusting VA with their care — and VA has recently outperformed non-VA care in peer reviewed studies, hospital ratings, and patient satisfaction surveys.
“As the Veteran population continues to increase in the Tampa Bay area, it’s imperative that we continue to connect Veterans to the best health care — as close to home as possible,” said VA Under Secretary for Health Shereef Elnahal, M.D., who provided remarks at the clinic opening today. “This expansion means access to world-class care for Veterans, and there’s nothing more important than that.”
“More Veterans are coming to us for their care, and that’s a great thing — because Veterans who come to VA are proven to do better,” said Executive Director of VA Tampa health care, Medical Center Director of the James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital and Clinics David Dunning, MPA. “This new clinic expands health care options for Tampa Veterans, and we are eager to provide them with the care that they deserve.”
The clinic first began seeing Veteran patients in February. This is a building that includes both VA and the Department of Defense clinics.
The VA Tampa Veterans Health Care System, based in Tampa, Florida, serves over 120,000 Veterans across five central counties. With approximately 6,200 employees, including 25% Veterans, and 350 volunteers, the healthcare system operates 499 beds and witnessed 10,203 total admissions and 1.7 million outpatient visits in 2023. Notably, the hospital stands out for maintaining accreditation in three Joint Commission programs and 21 Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities programs. The facility houses the largest federal rehabilitation center in the nation.
