LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR MURRAY TOURS NEW DENTAL CLINIC AT SOLDIERS' HOME FACILITY IN HOLYOKE

HOLYOKE - Monday, September 12, 2011 - As part of the Patrick-Murray Administration's commitment to Massachusetts veterans, Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray today joined Soldiers' Home Superintendent Paul Barabani and Secretary of the Department of Veterans' Services Coleman Nee for a tour of the recently re-opened outpatient dental clinic at the Soldiers' Home facility in Holyoke. The clinic offers the full range of dental services for both residents of the home and other veterans in the area.

"It is important that we continue to raise awareness of available resources and benefits for the veterans community," said Lieutenant Governor Murray, Chair of the Governor's Advisory Council on Veterans' Services. "I am pleased to join members of the Soldiers' Home as we come together to provide a resource that will support the health of the veterans community in the western region of the Commonwealth."

"Quality dental services are a vital part of promoting overall health for residents of the Commonwealth," said Secretary of Health and Human Services Dr. Judy Ann Bigby. "The newly reopened dental clinic at the Soldiers' Home in Holyoke will provide veterans in western Massachusetts access to affordable dental care that will make positive contributions to their overall health."

The dental clinic at the Soldiers' Home reopened in June after closing in 2009 due to the unprecedented national economic recession that required difficult budget cuts across state governments. In 2010, the Soldiers' Home initiated a public search for vendors interested in providing on-site dental care to both inpatient and outpatient veterans. The contract was ultimately awarded to the Holyoke Health Center.

"The new dental clinic will help fill one of the most acute and unmet needs of veterans in western Massachusetts," said Paul Barabani, Superintendent of the Soldiers' Home in Holyoke. "More than 285 veterans living at the home and an estimated 50,000 other men and women from the area who have served our country will now have access to quality dental care that they can afford."

Operated by the Holyoke Health Center on-site at the Soldiers' Home, the clinic will provide comprehensive oral evaluations, cleanings, and cavity fillings. Massachusetts veterans wishing to schedule an appointment at the clinic or learn more about available dental services at the Soldiers' Home in Holyoke are encouraged to call (413) 420-6270.

As part of the FY 2012 budget, Governor Deval Patrick also authorized funding to support 12 additional beds at Holyoke Soldiers' Home.

"The Soldiers' Home in Holyoke engenders a sense of pride, community, and passion in all the citizens of western Massachusetts," said Senator Michael Knapik. "I am pleased that leaders both in the Patrick-Murray Administration and in the Legislature have answered the call on behalf of our veterans so we might, through these services in some small way, return the favor for the sacrifices they have made in defense of our country."

"The legislature was pleased to support funding for additional new beds at the Soldier's Home facility in Holyoke," said Representative Michael Kane. "With these additional beds and the new dental clinic, we can better serve our veterans in this region, we continue to work with the Patrick-Murray Administration to find the right tools and resources to support veterans and their families."

"Dental health is critical part of overall health to our Holyoke Soldiers' Home residents as well as our veterans in our community and surrounding areas," said Mayor Elaine Pluta. "We are excited that the home's outpatient dental clinic will re-open to offer dental care services to the residents of the Holyoke Soldiers Home and veterans in the area."

To learn more about the Department of Veterans Services, visit www.mass.gov/veterans.

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