Fascinating People
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A Spotlight on the Clients We Serve

November 2009: Connie Brown, R.N. John M. Maddock, LCSW of the VA Clinic of Monterey

Walk in to the comprehensive VA Clinic of Monterey in Seaside, and it is hard to believe this all started as a little storefront clinic over Bubba's Bar-B-Que in Monterey with a skeleton staff of one doctor, one social worker, and one nurse – Connie Brown, RN.

Back in the 1960's the VA Palo Alto Health Care System, which serves veterans of Monterey County, was looking at developing community-based outpatient clinics. On opening day for the Monterey Clinic, only 5 veterans made an appointment to be seen at the new VA Clinic. Connie, the doctor, and social worker assumed it would be a slow day, and maybe there just wasn't going to be a lot of demand. When Connie next checked the waiting room the line stretched out the door, down the block and out of sight. In all, the tiny Clinic saw 500 patients that day! Today's VA Clinic of Monterey, located at 3401 Engineer Lane on the CSUMB Campus, serves between 250 and 300 veterans each day, but the Clinic runs smoothly and there are no waiting lines! The Clinic is now staffed by 9 board certified medical doctors, and a wide spectrum of "specialty physicians". Supportive clinic staff also includes an impressive group of "hands on" nurses, skilled social workers, and outstanding clerical staff. Of special mention are the dozens of veteran volunteers who give their time to ensure their comrades, i.e. other veterans, receive the best possible care.

According to John Maddock, LCSW, the Clinic's medical social worker, the services and specialties adapt and change to mirror the needs of the veterans. "Our local veterans used to call us the Mom and Pop clinic because it has a "homey" kind of feeling. The Clinic really does have a kinder, gentler touch. We may have all the high tech, but our approach is always about respect. It's a safe place filled with veterans that share similar experiences that only another veteran can fully understand." Connie heartily agrees. "No matter how successful they may have become, our veterans want to come to VA. So many have told me 'I served and I want to be with the soldiers.' General Moore and Sam Farr were really responsible for getting this Clinic on the map," added Connie. She speaks with pride about the staff. "The majority of our nurses (about 90%) are veterans or the spouses of a veteran. All of our clerks are veterans, and more than 25% of our doctors are vets as well. People who choose to work at VA do so because they have respect and want to say ‘thank you' by serving the veteran's health care needs. Maddock too has deep roots. His Grandmother Alma Tuell, and his Great Aunt Irma Tuell, were military nurses who served in World War I – circa 1918-1921!

A tour of the Clinic reveals a facility that includes approximately 100 exam rooms and offices designed around a spacious, sunny courtyard patio. Though the Clinic started with just general medicine, it quickly added mental health care with psychologists, psychiatrists, certified nurse specialists and social workers, and then expanded with other specialties. Podiatry is a particularly important specialty for veterans, whose feet carried them through marching, running, jumping out of planes, and supporting ground warfare, with many suffering from frostbite or jungle funguses. Orthopedics, urology, cardiology, GI, and dermatology are also specialties included at the clinic. The Monterey VA has a full service pharmacy and x-ray department on site. The lab is fully accredited and is capable of drawing lab tests in the morning and having most results returned by the end of the day.

The Monterey Clinic is quite proud of their Geriatric & Chronic Care Clinic, which was developed in response to the growing number of "elderly" Veterans, and many whom have multiple chronic diseases or special needs. The Geriatric Clinic team provides thorough evaluation and assessments to ensure that treatment plans can be individualized and developed to meet each patient's specific needs. The Monterey Clinic provides well visits/preventive health care, as well as diagnostic testing and treatment of most chronic diseases, including but not limited to: heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, COPD, lung disease, and dementia. The Clinic also offers a support system for terminal cases, and a hospice program if needed. Later this month the Clinic unveils a new Women's Clinic, as a response to the increasing number of women who have chosen to serve their country. Female veterans at this facility now range from twenty years of age up to nearly one hundred years and the Monterey Clinic ensures that all women receive their care in a respectful, and compassionate environment.

Other veterans services provided at the Clinic include free shuttle service three (3) times a day to Palo Alto. Once there, vets can arrange to stay at Hometel (a clean, basic place to stay with dinner included).

"Many veterans really don't know about all of the services available to them," added Connie. "I think the best advice John and I can give any veteran is ‘contact us' so we can do an assessment of the care needed and research to see if the veteran qualifies to register in the system. You may discover that your condition is in fact related to your years in the military and certain conditions you were exposed to during that service time."

The other element that makes this Clinic so special is its volunteers. John and Connie proudly show off the photos that line many of the walls displaying veterans past and present that have donated untold hours, weeks and years to offer comfort, companionship and compassion for their fellow veterans.

Looking forward, plans are underway for a merger of services in the next 5 years that will combine the Department of Defense and the VA Clinic into a new 100,000 square foot facility in Marina. All to serve the veterans who have defended our precious liberty and freedom. We salute you.