(Aug. 24, 2009) Saturday, Aug. 22, brought a “great first step” in building the new VA Medical Center which will neighbor the Anschutz Medical Campus. More than 1.1 million square feet of facility will provide care, counseling and research for more than 58,000 veterans in Colorado and the western states. It also will include a 30-bed unit for veterans with spinal cord injuries.
Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki was in office less than 90 days before announcing that the VA would build the medical center at the former Fitzsimons Army site. In his comments, Secretary Shinseki acknowledged his late arrival to the ten years of talks and he gave his heartfelt thanks to the veterans for their long standing support. “Thank you for keeping faith to the men and women who kept faith with us.” Shinseki described the future medical center will be a 1A hospital, meaning top of the line place for care.
Congressman Ed Perlmutter recognized the ongoing leadership of University of Colorado Denver Chancellor M.Roy Wilson and University of Colorado Hospital President Bruce Schroffel. He thanked them for their commitment to help veterans get the very best care available.
Colonel Michael Chyrek called the groundbreaking “a day for our veteran warriors,” and said while providing care to those who have already served, the new VA Medical Center will bring easy transition to those on active duty who will one day be veterans.
Governor Bill Ritter celebrated the day saying the new VA hospital will be built on one of the best medical campuses in America. While replacing the current site at 9th and Clermont Streets in Denver, the new campus will provide increase conveniences and eliminate travel times for tens of thousands of veterans and their families.
Secretary Shinseki said he brought with him a charge from President Obama: to transform the VA into a 21st century organization by providing the highest quality of care available. Before the ceremonial breaking of the ground, the Secretary pledged to return for the VA Medical Center’s grand opening in 2013.
Photo: A mounted color guard presents the flag at the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Denver VA Medical Center.