ModSpace’s MedBuild Team Provides Louisiana Veterans with New Facility

MedBuild, the specialized healthcare division of Modular Space Corporation (ModSpace), recently joined government officials and local dignitaries in Reserve, LA, to celebrate the official grand opening of the new VA St. John Outpatient Clinic. The 9,195 square foot clinic employs a staff of 27 and offers primary care, mental, and ancillary medical services to the roughly 200 veterans that visit each week for medical care. Special guest speakers at the July ribbon cutting ceremony included St. John’s Parish president, Bill Hubbard; Louisiana Rep. Nickie Monica; and Director of the Southeastern Louisiana Veterans Healthcare System, Julie Catellier. Guests kept cool in the building with the brand new HVAC system, despite the hot Louisiana day.

“We are extremely proud of the new VA St. John Outpatient Clinic we have delivered to the Reserve, LA, community,” says Jim Gabriel, director of business development for MedBuild. “This area was in dire need of a clinic that could meet the needs of the region’s 240,000 veterans. By working closely with VA health system, we were able to deliver a cost effective modular solution that will stand up in severe weather and meet the community’s needs today and tomorrow.”

The old VA clinic was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina, leaving the 240,000 area veterans of the VA health system to seek care in temporary facilities, including a local Wal-Mart parking lot, a VFW hall, and a wing of a veteran’s retirement home. These temporary sites were inadequate replacements for a much needed medical facility. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs‘ Southeast Louisiana Veterans Healthcare System knew they needed a solution—and needed it fast. The department turned to MedBuild, who worked closely with government officials to design a permanent, multi-functional, modular facility to address the needs of the area’s dense veteran community.

Parish officials jumped on board with the plans and donated five acres to house the new facility, and MedBuild went to work. ModSpace drove hundreds of piles 50 feet deep to raise the site above the flood plain, paved a 78,200 square foot concrete parking lot, and installed the 9,195 square foot clinic. The building is comprised of 19 permanently assembled modular units, and features nine exam rooms, three counseling offices, a waiting room, administrative offices, and training space. The building also includes special design features for severe weather conditions. With proper planning, MedBuild and the VA were able to design the building and the site for support of the community in anticipation of the next severe weather event.