Hospital Liaison

At the Gainesville SCI Clinic, Rita Napier, the mid-level SCI provider, is retiring and all SCI patients will now be seen by Dr. Robert Sammel, the current SCI physician. Also, Sally Swanson, the previous SCI nurse, has taken another position within the VA. Please extend a warm welcome to her replacement, Shelly O’Hara, RN, who will be full-time in the SCI Clinic in the absence of Dr. Sammel.

The new SCI Clinic days and hours will be:
MON: SCI appointments 10:00 AM & 12:30-2:30 PM / Walk-in: 11:00AM, 1:30-2:30PM

TUE: SCI appointments 12:30 & 2:30 PM / Walk-in: 1:30- 2:30 PM

WED: SCI appointments 10:00 AM & 12:30-2:30 PM / Walk-in: 11:00AM, 1:30-2:30PM

THUR: SCI appointments 10:00 AM & 12:30-2:30 PM / Walk-in: 11:00AM, 1:30-2:30

FRI: SCI appointments 12:30 & 2:30 PM / Walk-in: 1:30-2:30 PM

From 8AM to noon on Tuesdays and Fridays Dr. Sammel will be in PC4 in a new Primary Care Pain Management Clinic. This clinic may be of benefit to SCI vets with chronic pain. It was set up for vets with complex chronic non-cancer pain with a multi -disciplinary approach. Our psychologist has developed a behavioral treatment program to work in conjunction with medication, physical therapy, interventional pain management, etc. If you fight chronic pain, discuss it with him to see if it benefits you. We’ve discussed changes with the Gainesville VAMC senior leadership and they’ve been agreed upon. We ask that you try them. If you experience any access issues regarding the new changes, please immediately contact both Sandy Koenig, SCI Coordinator at Gainesville VAMC and Belton Smith, PVA National Service Officer.

It’s critical they be notified within 24 hours of your issue. If you’re not heard from, it’s assumed that the new SCI Clinic changes are acceptable and working for you. Sandy Koenig: Gainesville VAMC: (352) 376-1611, ext 6655 Belton Smith: Lake City VAMC: (386) 755-3016, ext 2236 or Orlando VAMC: (407) 629-1599, ext 1125

I realize most of this article is about the changes at the Gainesville SCI/D Clinic, but for the past few weeks, it has been my main focus. There will be more information on other areas as I travel to them.

An announcement of interest closer to home, Mr. Aurelius Williams is replacing Ms. Kathy Almonte-Palanco, at the Orlando VAMC, Bowel & Bladder Fee Base Program. He can be reached at (321) 397-6523. Please note: The fax number is the same, keep faxing to (407) 646-4776.


Ken Weas

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