On January 24, representatives from our firm, the Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks, and Carnegie Development celebrated the official opening of a new Veterans Administration clinic in Springfield, Missouri. The new facility, located at 1850 W. Public Road in Springfield, replaces an existing clinic previously located in Mount Vernon.

Our design embodies the VA’s mission of improving the quality of life for veterans, visitors, and staff. The new clinic is triple the overall square footage of the previous location, broadening the range of services offered and creating greater community access to healthcare. Based on the concept of Patient Aligned Care Team, the design juxtaposes patient exam rooms between waiting areas and staff work zones, allowing patients to be seen by multi-disciplined teams of doctors, medical assistants, registered nurses, nutritionists, psychologists, social workers, and other caregivers. Co-locating these different healthcare services also eliminates the need for multiple moves, offering patients a more convenient, comprehensive stay.

“Since the groundbreaking in 2016, our team of architects, planners, interior designers, and engineers worked closely with the VA and Carnegie Development to create a facility centered on the patient experience,” said Principal Phil LiBassi, FAIA, FACHA, who leads our firm’s Healthcare Studio. “Expanding the clinic’s space, and thereby its offerings, significantly improves the lives of veterans in southwestern Missouri and northwest Arkansas. Our team feels honored to create a place where patients can receive the kind of high-quality care they deserve.”

VA Springfield’s expanded services include primary care and specialty clinics comprised of women’s health, podiatry, pain management and general surgery, a sleep lab, and audiology, vision, dental, pulmonary, laboratory and behavioral health units. It also houses diagnostic and treatment services including pharmacy, laboratory, and telehealth rooms for consultation with physicians based in other locations.

“We are thrilled to bring healthcare to the Veterans of Springfield, Missouri, and we look forward to working with community partners to ensure veterans receive excellent services,” said Kelvin L. Parks, medical care center director of Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks.

The newly-constructed clinic consists of a single story, 88,886 SF building. It features an abundance of natural daylight, increased seating capacity, and access to outdoor walking trails. The exterior façade incorporates materials such as brick, glass, and pre-finished metals to recall the Ozark area and lend a sense of familiarity. We are seeking Silver LEED Certification for the building.