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Daily Herald,
Nov 11, 2003

VA Hospital's Future Gets a Boost

By Bob Susnjara
Daily Herald Staff Writer

At one time the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in North Chicago was on life support, but it took a step toward establishing a solid future Monday.

Under an arrangement announced Monday, neighboring Great Lakes Naval Station has moved its mental health unit into the VA hospital.

Republican U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk of Highland Park said the mental health unit's move from the separate naval hospital on Great Lakes' property to the VA facility will save tax dollars and improve care.

Kirk said the next step will be construction of a $ 170 million joint VA-Navy health care facility for those in the armed forces on active duty and their dependents, military retirees and war veterans. He said it's hoped construction will start in five years next to the VA hospital, near Green Bay and Buckley roads.

"If the Navy moves into this (joint) facility, it can never close," Kirk told about 200 cheering spectators at a Veterans Day ceremony on the VA grounds Monday. "And isn't that the right thing to do?"

As part of a downsizing campaign and budget cuts in early 2000, the Department of Veterans Affairs had threatened to shut the North Chicago hospital complex.

However, Kirk and Democratic U.S. Sen. Richard Durbin led a campaign to keep the facility open.

Great Lakes Naval Station became a key component to the VA facility remaining alive, officials said. Great Lakes, the Navy's only boot camp, expects 45,000 recruits to pass through this year, said Rear Adm. Ann Rondeau, the base's commander.

VA Medical Center Director Patrick Sullivan said extra business from Navy patients will lead to an addition of surgical services in 2005.

"This is a win, win, win opportunity," Sullivan said during the Veterans Day ceremony.

Along with the Navy, officials said Finch University of Health Sciences/The Chicago Medical School is a significant part of the VA facility's future. Chicago Medical School residents in psychiatry and medicine train at the VA hospital.

Like the Navy, the medical school is adjacent to the VA complex.

"You're seeing a renaissance of all three institutions," Kirk said.

Federal officials said about 50,000 veterans live in Lake County, although North Chicago VA patients come from across the area. The U.S. Census Bureau projects 55,000 veterans will live in Lake County by 2010.