NORTH PLATTE, Nebraska – In the heart of rural Nebraska, the North Platte Community-Based Outpatient Clinic is revolutionizing veterans’ access to health care using telemedicine technology.

With a dedicated team of medical professionals, including Luanne Schrader-Songster, a registered nurse with 11 years of VA experience, this clinic brings specialty care closer to home for veterans who would otherwise have to travel hours to receive treatment.

For many veterans from rural areas, getting to larger VA clinics in cities like Lincoln or Omaha can be difficult due to age, illness, and transportation issues.

The challenges veterans in rural areas face in accessing healthcare are not unique to Nebraska. Across the country, many veterans living in remote areas need help getting the care they need because they are too far away, have transportation issues, and lack of nearby facilities. By bringing care closer to home through telehealth, the VA is meeting these challenges head-on and ensuring all veterans have access to the services they need.

The importance of this specialty care for rural communities cannot be overstated. In North Platte, for example, veterans would have to drive hours to reach clinics in South Dakota, Lincoln, Kansas or Colorado. “Many of them cannot make it to the larger VA clinics because of their age, their condition, their illnesses, etc.,” Schrader-Songster said.

Telehealth technology has been instrumental in bridging the gap between veterans in rural areas and the specialty care they need. By using this technology, the VA ensures that all veterans, regardless of where they live, have access to quality healthcare services.

The North Platte clinic offers over 50 specialties via telemedicine, ensuring veterans receive comprehensive care close to home.

“Telemedicine meets veterans where they are,” said Schrader-Songster. “Veterans come to our clinic because this is their closest clinic and they can see specialists from any location.”

“We’re taking care of them and giving them what they deserve,” Schrader-Songster added. “We’re also making sure they get what they need. Many of them may be going without and not being able to travel. That’s why we’re here, we can get them that help and we’re going to get them the best help.”

As a telemedicine nurse, Schrader-Songster works with doctors several states away. “I’m the doctor’s hand on the patient’s home; the doctor is far away,” she said. “We have doctors from Grand Island, Lincoln, Omaha, Florida and Minnesota. We take care of the patients, do heart and lung sounds and do whatever is needed at each clinic.”

The role of a telehealth nurse is critical to ensuring veterans receive the same high-quality care they would expect from an in-person visit. By serving as the remote provider’s eyes, ears and hands, Schrader-Songster can perform a comprehensive assessment and ensure the veteran’s needs are met.

During a typical appointment, Schrader-Songster greets the patient, takes vitals and performs any necessary exams or tests as directed by the outside physician. She also addresses any additional needs the veteran may have, such as hearing aids or eyeglasses, and helps connect them to the appropriate VA services.

This broad range of specializations available via telehealth is part of the VA’s commitment to providing comprehensive care to veterans regardless of their location. From mental health services to specialty chronic disease clinics, the North Platte clinic is prepared to meet the diverse healthcare needs of our veteran population.

“We want to make sure that whatever specialties they need can be covered here in our clinics, whether it’s telemedicine or whatever. Take care of our veterans,” Schrader-Songster said. The impact of telemedicine goes beyond the veterans themselves.

For veterans who may not be aware of their local VA clinic’s telehealth services, Schrader-Songster has a simple message: “Come by or call and take a look. Every one of our staff here represents veterans and talks about what we can do for them. We will find a way to help them.”