VA Fargo And Mountrail County Veteran Services Open New ATLAS Site In Stanley
The VA Fargo Health Care System, in partnership with the Mountrail County Veterans Service Office, hosted the grand opening of a new Accessing Telehealth through Local Area Stations (ATLAS) site on Thursday, May 14. The site is located in the Mountrail County Memorial Building at 18 2nd Ave. SE in Stanley.
ATLAS sites provide private spaces where Veterans can attend telehealth appointments. These sites reduce common barriers to care (including long travel distances, severe weather, and limited internet connectivity in rural areas) by bringing secure technology and high-speed internet closer to home. The new site supports VA’s telehealth services by expanding access to care for Veterans in Stanley and surrounding communities.
The ATLAS program started in Bowbells and Watford City last year. This year they are adding locations in Stanley and Cavalier. They also continue to work on a location in the Turtle Mountain area.
ATLAS can be used for any video appointment that the provider thinks is appropriate. That includes appointments to get test results, or appointments related to mental health, nutrition or pharmacy. The goal is to make it more convenient for the Veteran. Any VA approved provider can schedule into the system, including out of state providers.
The Stanley location will be available for veterans Tuesdays through Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Veterans Service Officer Lisa Lapica will be the attendant for the location. She will receive notification of the appointment time and date. She will let the veteran into the private room located on the lower level of the Memorial Building which is equipped with the computer and high-speed internet connection. She will let them log in with their personally provided code; make sure it connects and then leave the room to give the veteran their privacy during the appointment.
While veterans are able to access the video conferencing system at home on their own phone, this option is private, sound-proof and the appointment can be held without interruption.
“This ATLAS site represents a significant expansion in care delivery for Veterans enrolled in the VA Fargo Health Care System,” said Harold “Brent” Pharis, Director of the VA Fargo Health Care System. “This site will broaden access to vital health care resources and elevate the overall patient experience for Veterans in and around Stanley.”
Veterans with questions about scheduling with the ATLAS location in Stanley can contact Jessie Baier, a clinical technician and telehealth clinician, at 701-418-2625.