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Haley tackles parking issue

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By JOYCE McKENZIE

jmckenzie@tampatrib.com

Published: July 1, 2009

UNIVERSITY AREA - The James A Haley Veterans' Hospital is often touted as one of the nation's busiest among the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' network of health care facilities.

With that distinction comes the difficulty that staff and patients face when trying to find available on-campus parking.

That scenario is expected to change in December 2010 when the hospital hopes to open a new, six-story parking garage with 1,500 spaces.

Officials broke ground last week on a project that has been in the works more than 10 years.

HDR, an architectural, engineering and consultant firm based in Omaha, Neb., designed the garage. Wendy Moran, an HDR vice president, said the structure's sheer height and strong physical character are meant to draw people's eyes toward its location at the rear of the hospital campus.

"I think it's a great time to celebrate," said Sandra Janzen, associate director of patient care/nursing service assistant. "I've been here more than 20 years, and we've been fighting for this for the last 10 years."

Hospital director Stephen Lucas said he knew of the parking problem before he moved from Miami two years ago to takes the job.

"You really can't appreciate the depth of the issue until you see what our patients and staff have to go through," said Lucas, who called the project a remarkable accomplishment. "It will lead to a new face at the James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital."

Edward Cutolo Jr., the hospital's chief of staff, also was on hand to unveil a new mobile outreach clinic that will serve veterans in Hillsborough, Pasco, Polk and Hernando counties.

The red, white and blue bus adorned on either side with the bold face of a flying eagle is equipped with wheelchair lifts, four air conditioning units, three exam rooms, a TV, refrigerator and microwave oven. Its staff has electronic access to patients' medical records via a satellite linkup with the Haley medical center.

Caregivers aboard the traveling health center will offer screenings, blood pressure checks and yearly physicals for patients with spinal cord injuries. Other outreach services include the opportunity to enroll as a patient, care for homeless veterans and those with mental health issues. The bus also contains a Coumadin clinic designed to help patients thwart heart attacks, strokes and blood clots.

"The bus and all its furnishings come with a high price tag, but it will pay dividends to our veterans for a very long time," Cutolo said.

Reporter Joyce McKenzie can be reached at (813) 731-8026.

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