Services to veterans who live in the Cranberry area will be boosted exponentially by the decision to open an outpatient medical clinic in the fast-growing town.

VA Butler Healthcare, which operates the veterans medical center in Butler Township, will open the facility in mid-December at Freedom Square on Freedom Road, said Paula McCarl, a spokeswoman for the facility.

"There are a lot of veterans in that area, and we want to make it more convenient for them," Ms. McCarl said.

Considering its consistent growth over two decades and its location at the juncture of three counties -- Butler, Allegheny and Beaver -- the township was the logical place to open the Butler VA's fifth outpatient clinic, said Butler County Veterans Services Director John Cyprian.

"It's been a long time coming and it will be welcome," he said. "The bottom line is that it means better access to care in one of the fastest growing regions around."

The Butler VA has awarded a $5.5 million, five-year contract to Valor Healthcare to manage and operate the facility.

Ms. McCarl said the clinic was expected to serve 3,000 veterans annually.

The extent of the service will include primary care, laboratory, radiology and behavioral health services.

According to Ms. McCarl, Valor Healthcare has been a leader in the development and operation of outpatient clinics for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, currently operating 17 clinics in nine states. It has received the Joint Commission's Gold Seal of Approval for all of its VA clinics in the country. The company employs 65 veterans -- about a third of its total work force.

Ms. McCarl said it was up to the individual veteran as to where he or she will receive services. But, if the vet is registered at the Butler Township campus or the Pittsburgh VA campus and wants to begin receiving services in Cranberry, a transfer should be requested through the primary care team. She said specialized care still would be obtained through the Butler or Pittsburgh medical centers. Registration and enrollment at Cranberry can be made by calling the Butler center at 724-287-4781.

The Cranberry facility is about midway between Pittsburgh and Butler.

"This will be a real timesaver for veterans," said Mr. Cyprian. "If someone from that area wants to come to Butler, it's basically an hour up and hour back, plus whatever time you're at the [medical center]. Mark a whole day off your calendar. This will be so much more convenient," he said.

The Butler VA has two other contracted clinics -- one in Foxburg, Clarion County, at the Allegheny-Clarion Valley Medical Center, where Clarion Hospital provides the services; and the other in Kittanning at Armstrong County Memorial Hospital. The remaining clinics, operated by the VA itself, are located in Hermitage, Mercer County, and New Castle, Lawrence County. Both are leased-space facilities with VA staff providing primary care services.

Cranberry Supervisor Dick Hadley said the pending opening of the clinic was "one of the most anticipated new additions to our community."

He said VA officials had been discussing the possibility of such a clinic for more than a year and that township officials had heard from residents that they would appreciate more localized services.

"We have no doubt this will be one of the most utilized clinics in the VA system. ... We appreciate the efforts of the VA to make this happen," Mr. Hadley said.

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