MARTINSVILLE – Hoosier veterans in south-central Indiana have a new option for gastroenterology procedures due to a partnership between IU Health Morgan and Veteran’s Health Indiana (VHI).
“Our veterans have given so much for our country and our community,” said IU Health Morgan Chief Operating Officer Jason King, DNP, RN, CENP. “The goal for this program is to provide care for Hoosier veterans closer to home while helping to relieve VA backlog. It’s been an honor to work with Veteran Health Indiana to provide this healthcare option for veterans in Morgan and the surrounding counties.”
The program has been in the works for several years, but the partnership has a bright outlook.
Angela Diskey, RN, MSN, VHI Chief of Patient Care Support and Procedural Medicine, said, “Veteran’s Health Indiana is excited to partner with IU Health Morgan for this first of its kind collaboration. Hoosier Veterans south of Indianapolis can now receive gastroenterology procedures, like colonoscopies, in Martinsville rather than driving to Indianapolis. The teamwork between IU Health Morgan and VA physicians has been wonderful. The staff is obviously caring of the Veterans we serve, which makes this a great opportunity for our patients.”
“The VA in central Indiana has focused for the last 10 years on taking VA care closer to where Veterans live and work,’ said Richard Griffith, VHI Chief Strategy Officer. “The partnership with IU Health Morgan is one of the first like this in the country and places VA specialists in Veteran communities. Our mission is to serve Hoosier Veterans, and this partnership makes VA care more convenient!”
“We are proud of this partnership that is now providing outstanding GI endoscopy services to Veterans closer to home in southern Indiana,” said Nabil Fayad, MD, FACG, VHI Gastroenterology Section Chief. “With this partnership, we are pioneering a program to facilitate access to care for Veterans. Our teams are committed to ensuring timely and convenient endoscopy care to each Veteran.”
VA Gastroenterology physicians currently offer appointments on the third Tuesday of the month, but that is subject to change. King explained they are hoping to run at least two days per month if volumes continue to grow. He looks forward to potential partnerships with the VA in other service lines.
Veterans may reach out to their Veterans Affairs office to make a gastroenterology appointment at IU Health Morgan.
About Indiana University Health
Named among the “Best Hospitals in America” by U.S. News & World Report for 23 consecutive years, Indiana University Health is dedicated to providing a unified standard of preeminent, patient-centered care. A unique partnership with Indiana University School of Medicine – one of the nation’s leading medical schools – gives our highly skilled physicians access to innovative treatments using the latest research and technology. Learn more at www.iuhealth.org.
