Weekly clinic drawing veterans

By Deborah Rafford
Special to the Pioneer Times
    Houlton Regional Hospital has volunteered room in their facility so area veterans can get the healthcare they need without traveling to Caribou or Togus. The Clinic is open every Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
    Ronald Welch, MD, travels from Augusta each Wednesday to take care of the veterans who come through the door. “We’re a doctor’s office,” said Welch, “We offer the full spectrum of tests and care. Vets have worked hard to get us up here. It’s nice to go where people want to have you.”
    Most folks who use the clinic come from within a 30-mile radius. A lot of the vets from  WWII, the Korean Conflict, Vietnam, Desert Storm, and now Iraq, suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, better known as PTSD.
    “You wouldn’t think WWII vets would be suffering,” stated Welch, “but once these guys retire, and have time to think, that’s when it all comes rushing back to them. In some cases, the PTSD shows up right away, and in others, it takes years for it to surface.”
    When soldiers return from a deployment, a representative is at the debriefing. All soldiers are seen as a priority within 30 days of their first request for help. Welch said they had only seen a few hundred soldiers a couple of years ago, but now see many more.  
    The VA is a huge organization, and Mark Palmquist is a patient advocate at Togus. He comes up to Houlton once a week too. Most non-emergencies are seen at Togus. They do X-rays and doctor visits. When possible, vets are urged to use Togus, but they may also use their local doctor or hospital when it is necessary.
    Welch says there is definitely enough of a need for him to keep coming to Houlton once a week. “I also give Calais an afternoon a week,” explains Welch. “The VA might show up once a week for a blood pressure clinic. Once a VA starts a clinic, it has a very good track record. It’s not good form to get folks to expect you to be here, then not show up.”
    Only 8-10 percent of his patients are female, but the numbers are growing. “All vets should sign up,” said Welch. “You don’t have to be in the military, just have to have been in. (Say you went to basic, found out something was wrong and they put you out, you are still qualified). It is important to get established in case there is a need in the future. Welch wants vets to use the clinic the way that works best for them. “I’m here until such time as they hire someone closer.  I’m a traveling doctor. Otherwise, this is my clinic.”
    Gretchen Rush, RN, also commutes. She is from the Lincoln VA Clinic, and wants the vets to know they need to call her at 1-877-421-8263, ext. 2000 to make an appointment for the Houlton Clinic. On Wednesdays, they can call 532-0568 for an appointment.
    Dan Dill, MSA, medical support assistant is also from the Lincoln connection’s satellite office in Bangor. He mans the reception desk each Wednesday.
    Charles Smith, from the Caribou Veteran’s Center, offers outpatient counseling.  He works to help veterans with PTSD readjust from combat back into civilian life.
    With this team in place, vets from around the area are going to get the best care there is. It’s been a long time coming, but “good things happen to those who wait.”