New health care facility dedicated in honor of astronaut Lovell
In a first-of-its-kind venture by the U.S. government, a North Chicago medical facility teaming the Navy and Department of Veterans Affairs was formally dedicated Friday.
Various dignitaries were present for the event marking the start of the Capt. James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center. Lovell, a Lake Forest resident, is a retired naval officer and astronaut who commanded the Apollo 13 mission.
Lovell told the crowd it's been a long time coming for the facility that'll serve active Navy personnel and their families, veterans and military retirees.
"I am deeply humbled to have my name associated with this institution," said Lovell, 82. "I have always felt that the welfare of our veterans and active-duty personnel was an essential ingredient in providing a strong military and to take care of those who have served in the past."
Despite the proximity, the North Chicago VA Medical Center and Naval Health Clinic Great Lakes had been separate operations. Now, the Great Lakes Naval Station personnel and VA clients have access to the same medical care.
As part of the combining of operations to create the Lovell Federal Health Care Center, a 209,945-square-foot ambulatory care facility was built on the VA's 107-acre North Chicago campus at Green Bay Road and Route 137. Lovell gave an approving look at a bronze statue of his likeness that'll be at the ambulatory center entrance.
In addition, 40,716 square feet of existing space at the VA such as the surgery and emergency departments was renovated for new center. The facility also boasts community-based outpatient clinics in Evanston, McHenry and Kenosha, Wis., as well as an east campus on Great Lakes.
The total cost was about $143 million for the VA facility upgrades and new construction for what's now called the west campus. Aspects of the operation have been phased in since 2006.
VA spokesman Jonathan Friedman said combining operations is projected to save $20 million annually, along with eliminating the need for a new $80 million medical facility at Great Lakes.
Officials said the Lovell Federal Health Center will serve as a model for other VA-military medical facility combinations in the United States. The venture joining the North Chicago VA and the Navy has about 2,900 employees who are projected to serve 100,000 sailors and their families, veterans and retirees per year.
Veterans Affairs Dr. Jeffrey Murawsky said the partnership with the Navy at the state-of-the-art facility will allow for cutting-edge research, education and assurance for high-quality care.
Center Director Patrick Sullivan said Friday's ceremony culminated work that began in 1999, when a VA report recommended eliminating critical-care services and other operations at the North Chicago hospital.
"Today, we are no longer proud staff and volunteers of the North Chicago VA or Naval Health Clinic Great Lakes," Sullivan said. "We are proud staff and volunteers of the Capt. James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center. We are part of a much bigger mission."
If the VA's 1999 recommendations had proceeded, vets who typically received medical help in Lake County would have been forced to visit facilities in Milwaukee, Maywood or Chicago.
Three politicians who helped push through the Lovell Federal Health Care Center Democratic U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, Republican U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk and Democratic U.S. Rep. Melissa Bean attended Friday's event.