The Department of Veterans Affairs Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System’s Hurricane Michael Medical Station that has been operating from a Walmart parking lot will transition Veteran services back to the Panama City Beach VA Clinic Thursday.

Normal operations at the PCB VA Clinics resumed Oct. 16.  The GCVHCS Medical Station has been in operation since Oct. 15, helping hundreds of Veterans during this time period with holistic medical services, readjustment counseling, pharmacy, food, homeless support and much more.  Since Oct. 16, Veterans with scheduled appointments have been seen in both PCB VA locations (2600 Veterans Way, (along Magnolia Beach Road), and 140 Richard Jackson Boulevard) between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.  Veterans who walk-in for care will be seen, too.

Sonya Stokes-Sumrall, Veterans Integrated Service Network 16’s Emergency Management Officer, who has served as the Medical Station’s incident commander, offered a moment of reflection about the operation.

“It has been a tremendous honor serving those who served us here in Panama City,” Stokes-Sumrall said.  “What has happened here is a true tragedy, and we’ve seen a lot of heart-breaking circumstances from the Veterans we’ve served.  “I’m eternally grateful to have had such a fabulous team of VA professionals here to support this community in need.”

GCVHCS Director Bryan C. Matthews, echoed Stokes-Sumrall’s sentiments.

“Sonya and the dedicated Medical Station team has been a godsend,” Matthews said.  “I’d like to offer my deepest thanks to all members of the team, who came from all over the country to help our Veteran community in Northwest Florida.  I’m also thankful for our Panama City VA employees who have showed tremendous resiliency as they continue to recover from Hurricane Michael and return to work.”

For Veterans who cannot get to the PCB VA Clinics, a toll-free number, 1-800-507-4571, has been established for Veterans to get updated information on where to go for care, how to receive prescription drugs, or any other concerns they may have about their care. The phone line is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 

Veterans in need of Pharmacy Customer Care may call 1-855-574-7288; the toll-free number is operational 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (EST) to assist Veterans with medication.