Liberal V.A. Clinic Still Without Doctor

The out-patient VA clinic in Liberal has been looking for a full time doctor since February 2012.

“Very little attention they’re giving to us,” said Navy veteran Robert Grant. “I don’t think it’s right.”

Grant has used the Liberal VA clinic over the years, but for the last two he’s had to travel to Wichita for his routine eye exams, because there hasn’t been a doctor at the clinic.

“You can’t even get a flu shot or your ear cleaned out,” he said.

Without a doctor, the clinic has been relying on Tele-medicine. Patients can come into the clinic and work with a nurse, and video-chat with a doctor at the VA in Wichita.

Army vet Charles Lundberg said it works out pretty well for him. “You can talk person to person, that works pretty well. They’re very friendly.”

In the last two years the VA has made multiple job offers, but they’ve all been declined. Now they have a part time doctor in the clinic two times a week, but they said they still want to find someone to fill the position full time.

“The unfortunate thing about the VA is they’re still competing with other communities, hospitals, and large clinics to attract doctors,” said ER Doctor Francisco Chacon.

The salary posted for the position is $195,000 a year.

The VA said they are continuing to search for a doctor, and the care of veterans in the Liberal area is very important to them.

The part time doctor has been considered for the permanent position.