After years of driving back and forth to West Palm Beach to receive specialized medical treatment, military veterans living in Vero Beach finally have a local clinic where they can receive the care they need.

The U.S. Veterans Administration opened the first phase of its Indian River Multispecialty Clinic at 777 37th Street on Friday, with final building inspections completed just hours before the doors opened to patients.

As of last Wednesday, county building department records showed that the VA’s contractor, Excel Construction, still needed several major inspections before the scheduled opening, but Chief Plans Examiner Erika Lundeen said on Friday that all needed approvals had been granted by the county building department. 

The VA has described the clinic’s initial days as a “soft opening,” with an open house and more formal grand opening coming in April.

Services available in the first phase include chiropractic care, physical and occupational therapy. The second phase, set to open in May, will add audiology, cardiology, dermatology, neurology, podiatry, prosthetics, pulmonary, urology, and blood draw services. A final phase expected to open this summer will bring optometry and dental care.

“We are happy to bring expanded services and specialty care to Veterans in Indian River County,” said West Palm Beach VA Executive Director Cory Price. “This new clinic reflects our continued commitment to delivering worldclass healthcare and ensuring Veterans receive the exceptional service they have earned.”

First announced in the fall of 2024, the $8 million clinic was initially set to open in March 2025, to bring much-needed healthcare to Vero’s veterans. Vero has long had a primary care clinic on 17th Street, but veterans had to trek to West Palm Beach to see most specialists.

In February 2025, the VA pushed the opening date back to September. In September, the opening was delayed again – to this March for the Phase 1 and May for Phase 2.

Nurse Manager Jennifer Harris has been tapped by the VA to head up the new clinic. She is board certified, has a Master of Science in Nursing, and is a certified case manager.

“I am very excited that the initial phase of the VA specialty clinic in Vero Beach opened this past Friday,” said Dr. Michael Fortunato, chairman of the Veterans Council of Indian River County. “This clinic will benefit the many veterans of Indian River County and make care more easily accessible to them.

“Congratulations to all the members of the VA, the Veteran community, and the local and state legislators that worked together to make this a reality! This is a win-win for all of us.”

West Palm VA Spokesperson Andrea Madrazo said the clinic is open from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding federal holidays. Veterans who would like to transition their care to the Indian River VA Clinic can call 561-422-VERO (8376).