San Francisco VA Health Care System

Congratulations to San Bruno VA Clinic for 10 years of service to our San Mateo County Veterans! Pictured from left, Mark Nagales, Congresswoman Jackie Speier’s Office; Ben Cohn, Assembly Member Kevin Mullin’s Office; Mary Ann Nihart, Chief Nurse Ambulatory Care; Bonnie Graham, San Francisco VA Health Care System Director; Warren Slocum, San Mateo County Supervisor; Dr. Shalini Patel, San Bruno VA Clinic Medical Director; State Senator Jerry Hill; and San Bruno Mayor Jim Ruane.

The San Bruno VA Clinic is celebrating its 10th year of serving San Mateo County Veterans. A celebration event, attended by over 140 Veteran patients, family, guests and staff was held at the clinic on November 23 to commemorate the occasion.

Mary Ann Nihart, MA, APRN, Clinical Director and Chief Nurse Ambulatory Care, served as emcee. Bonnie Graham, San Francisco VA Health Care System (SFVAHCS) Director, warmly welcomed all guests and spoke of the history of the San Bruno VA Clinic and the services it provides.

“Not only has the clinic grown by the number of staff and, more importantly, the number of Veterans we care for, but how we provide the care has changed significantly in the past 10 years,” said Ms. Graham. “We now provide care through our patient-aligned care teams. In this model of care, the Veteran is in the center of the care team that includes not only health care providers, but also family members, and caregivers. This model has transformed how we deliver care by providing Veterans better access to primary care, providing better coordination of care, and creating a true patient-centered culture.”

Ms. Graham spoke of the clinic’s robust recovery services program and its partnership with the UCSF School of Medicine. She lauded its extensive telehealth program that has allowed the clinic to expand its services, and highlighted the importance of the clinic’s successful outreach and community partnerships.

“We’ve come a long way in the last 10 years and I am so proud of the dedication and commitment of the staff at the San Bruno VA Clinic. You have worked hard to be creative and innovative in your efforts to care for our Veterans. Thank you for all that you do!” Ms. Graham concluded.

Other speakers and presenters included: Dr. Shalini Patel, San Bruno VA Clinic Medical Director; Mark Nagales, Congresswoman Jackie Speier’s Office; Ben Cohn, Assembly Member Kevin Mullin’s Office; San Bruno Mayor Jim Ruane; and testimonial remarks from Army Veterans Michael McShane and Jeff Hoe.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, guests gathered upstairs for an Open House with refreshments, clinic tours, information for Veterans on how to enroll for health care and benefits, and MyHealtheVet.

History of the San Bruno VA Clinic

The San Bruno VA Clinic served its first Veteran patient on September 6, 2005 at 1001 Sneath Lane, San Bruno, California.

In its first year of operation, the San Bruno VA Clinic provided 787 Veterans with primary health care, mental health care, and social work services. The clinic has grown dramatically during the past 10 years and, in FY15, served over 2,000 Veterans.

Today, San Bruno VA Clinic offers a variety of quality care to San Mateo County Veterans in these areas: Primary Care, Mental Health, Social Work, Audiology, Podiatry, Telehealth, Nutrition, Pharmacy, Member Services to enroll Veterans in VA health care, and HUD/VASH housing assistance for Veterans. There are also several Veteran support groups hosted at the clinic as well.

Additionally, the San Bruno VA Clinic is proud to partner with UCSF School of Medicine, offering an extensive residency program for medical and psychiatric practitioners.

The San Bruno VA Clinic is open Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. To make an appointment, call (650) 615-6000. Find out more about the San Bruno VA Clinic, the services it provides, and some transportation options here.