POTSDAM -- The VA Medical Center serving St. Lawrence County veterans will soon be moving from Massena to Potsdam.

Officials at the Syracuse VA Medical Center approved the transfer of the operation of the St. Lawrence County Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC), currently located at 6100 St. Lawrence Centre in Massena to STG International (STGi) of Arlington, VA.

The new clinic will be located at 201 Market St. in Potsdam. This new location is approximately 18 miles from the current location and is larger and more centrally situated within the county and will reduce the travel times for many Veterans.

The transition to the new contract will take approximately 120 days with an anticipated opening of November 1, 2021. The current contractor, Sterling Medical, will continue to provide care for Veterans during this period to ensure there is no interruption in service. All Veterans currently receiving care at the Massena location have received a letter outlining the change.

“STGi is proud to have been selected to partner with the Syracuse VAMC and bring state of the art facilities to the Veterans in St. Lawrence County and the surrounding communities,” said Jeff Bell, STGi, Chief Operating Officer. “We look forward to working with the local staff and local vendors to bring the high caliber of services our Veterans deserve and expect from the VA. As a 10-year Army Veteran I appreciate the opportunity to contribute to the successful opening and operation of this new facility and bringing STGi’s best practices to the CBOC.”

For information regarding eligibility for VA health care Veterans can visit the VA website at http://www.va.gov/healthbenefits/apply/ or call 888-823-9656.

As part of VA's normal federal solicitation and award process, the Syracuse VAMC recently solicited and received offers to provide care to our Veterans in St. Lawrence County,” said Robert McLean, Syracuse VA Medical Center public affairs officer. “These offers were reviewed to ensure a fair process for anyone wishing to contract for the services posted. To ensure that Veteran patients are receiving the best possible care from the most capable providers in the most updated facilities, the St. Lawrence County CBOC contract has been awarded to STGi of Alexandria VA.”

McLean said that the current contractor, Sterling Medical, will continue to provide care for veterans during this period to ensure there no interruption in service. He said All veterans currently receiving care at the Massena location have received a letter outlining the change.

How is this move likely to impact the employees of the Clinic?

McLean said the current contract staff have the right of refusal for positions under the new vendor.

If veterans have questions, they can expect to receive a letter outlining changes and a number to call if they have further questions.