National, state, and local leaders gather for ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Robert S. Poydasheff VA Clinic in Columbus, Georgia

[transcript]

Friday's grand opening brought state and national leaders to our area.

Beside them, the United States' Secretary of the Department of Veteran Affairs, Denis McDonough, who spent his time in Columbus hearing from Fort Benning soldiers and local veterans. He says this new state-of-the-art facility sets the standard for caring for the men and women who served our country.

Georgia Representatives Drew Ferguson and Sanford Bishop teamed up and advocated for the facility, which will serve the large veteran population here in Columbus.

The clinic no longer needs to outsource care, as it contains nearly 30 different departments, ranging from primary care to mental health. The facility aids veterans in making the transition from active duty to civilian life.

The clinic also serves Veteran Affairs newest effort - supporting female veterans. The new women's health wing includes nursing lounges, play areas for children and a private waiting room.

[Sec. McDonough] "We're all going to work together with VA to ensure that our veterans get timely access to world class care, timely access to the benefits that they've earned. As I said, they've had our backs out there in the field across over 20 years of war. It's now time for us to get theirs."

The new VA clinic honors the late colonel and former mayor, who served our country and the City of Columbus. Now Poydasheff's uniform hangs in the lobby of the 55,000 square foot facility.

Columbus Mayor Skip Henderson said of Poydasheff, "if he knew you for 30 minutes or 30 years, he loved you. Poydasheff advocated for the veteran community and is now forever honored here in Columbus.

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