VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare Expands Oncology Services Closer to Veterans’ Homes
TL/DR –
The VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System (TVHS) has designated the Pointe Centre VA Clinic in Chattanooga as a VA “Close to Me” cancer care site. This will bring oncology services closer to veterans who live in rural areas, where specialty care often requires extended travel. Since treating its first patient in December 2025, the clinic has served over 60 veterans, saved over 25,000 miles in travel, and saved more than $50,000 in cost avoidance.
Chattanooga’s Pointe Centre VA Clinic: A closer Oncology Care Solution for Veterans
U.S. Army Infantry Veteran, Joel Edwards, often had to endure long four-hour drives to Nashville for his oncology care at the Pointe Centre VA Clinic, Chattanooga, Tennessee. Like Edwards, many veterans living in rural areas, about one-quarter of the total veteran population, have faced similar challenges due to lack of nearby specialty care.
However, this scenario is undergoing a critical shift. The VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System (TVHS) has now recognized the Pointe Centre VA Clinic as a VA Close to Me site for cancer care, joining over 30 VA medical centers providing accessible oncology services to veterans.
Veterans, specifically at a higher risk of developing certain cancers because of exposure to toxins like Agent Orange, require timely, coordinated care. A nurse practitioner at the clinic, Whitney Worthy, explains that the “Close to Me” program aims to bring oncology services to smaller communities outside Nashville and Murfreesboro.
The new initiative saves veterans in Chattanooga from having to travel long distances for treatment, reducing physical exertion and increasing their time with family, explained Kim Hughes, a registered nurse at the clinic.
The Impact So Far
Since its inception in December 2025, the Chattanooga VA Clinic has served over 60 veterans, saving more than 25,000 miles in travel, and relieving their families. The program has resulted in over $50,000 in cost avoidance, which can be redirected towards veteran care.
Coordinating care can be complex, especially for patients needing frequent or specialized treatment. By keeping care within VA, providers ensure veterans receive consistent, connected care throughout their treatments. Joel Edwards noticed a significant difference, not just in travel, but in his everyday feeling.
Support Systems are Key
Veterans often rely on caregivers and spouses who play a critical role in managing appointments and offering support throughout treatments. The clinic provides a personalized setting designed with both patients and caregivers in mind, including convenient appointment coordination and comfort features in infusion chairs.
Edwards expressed his relief at having accessible care at the Pointe Centre VA Clinic, praising the quality of care received at VA. Veterans under the VA TVHS can consult their providers to determine if the Close to Me program at the Pointe Centre VA Clinic is suitable for them.
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