History

VA established full-time presence in the El Paso community in 1969 when it opened an office under the auspices of the Regional Office of Lubbock, Texas, at 2701 Montana.  Services were provided by two social workers and four benefits counselors and included referrals to fee basis physicians, pre-and- post hospital follow-up and coordination of benefits and care.

In 1974, a VA Outpatient Clinic established operations in the Gilbert Annex of the R.E. Thomason Hospital, under the jurisdiction of the Big Spring VA Medical Center.  In 1975, the El Paso VA Outpatient Clinic became an independent outpatient clinic.  Services provided included general medicine, prosthetics, pharmacy and dental.

By 1987, demand for services had far exceeded the capacity of the Brook Hollow facility and planning was initiated for a new facility adjacent to William Beaumont Army Medical Center.  Construction of the new 254,000 square foot ambulatory care center began on June 11, 1993, and it opened its doors to patients on October 16, 1995.  Since opening, the unique patients seen has increased from 10,755 in FY 1993 to 23,250 in FY 2007.

In response to demand for services in the Las Cruces area, a VA staffed outpatient primary care clinic was opened in Las Cruces, New Mexico, on November 4, 1994.  Today, this Community Based Outpatient Clinic, a part of the El Paso VA Health Care System, sees over 2,400 veterans a year.

The El Paso VA Health Care System has a joint venture with William Beaumont Army Medical Center (WBAMC).  This joint venture allows both activities to maximize resource utilization.  Through the joint venture, VA purchases emergency room service and inpatient care for acute medical, psychiatric and surgical emergencies.  The joint venture has led to unique agreements that have increased patient access in general surgery and vascular surgery.

The El Paso VA Health Care System also acquires services from local hospitals and other VA Medical Centers located within the VA Southwest Health Care Network, which serves far West Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona.