Ribbon-cutting ceremony on Apr. 25 for the new Richard A. Pittman VA clinic.
(Photo: Clifford Oto / The Stockton Record)
In the heart of the Central Valley, a long-awaited VA outpatient medical center has opened its doors, catering to Veterans residing in San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Calaveras, and Tuolumne counties.
Situated at 6505 S. Manthey Rd. in French Camp, adjacent to Interstate 5 near San Joaquin General Hospital and the newly established Victory Gardens—a supportive housing project for homeless Veterans—the Richard A. Pittman VA Clinic offers primary care and specialty health services, including addiction and substance abuse treatment, mental health care, PTSD support, smoking cessation programs, and physical and occupational therapy.
With the capacity to accommodate nearly 210,000 Veterans in the region, it is the first VA facility of its scale in the entire San Joaquin Valley, as affirmed by David Stockwell, the medical center director for the VA Northern California Health Care System. Services provided at the 158,000 square foot facility range from primary care to surgical facilities, pharmacies, physical therapy, dental care, to mental health services.
For Gina Pittman, Richard A. Pittman’s daughter, the opening holds deep personal significance. Reflecting on her father’s service in the Marine Corps during the Vietnam War, where he was awarded a Medal of Honor in 1968, Gina expressed pride in seeing his legacy honored.
The clinic’s inauguration was celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by hundreds, marking a momentous occasion for the community. As the clinic welcomed its first patients, plans for future expansion are already underway. These plans include the integration of urgent care services and the establishment of a 120-bed community living center. The clinic represents not only a vital resource for Veterans but also a testament to the sacrifices of Veterans and their families.
The opening of the clinic addresses a longstanding grievance among San Joaquin County Veterans regarding the distance they had to travel for VA medical treatment. Previously, many had to make the arduous journey to clinics in Palo Alto or Livermore. With the establishment of the Richard A. Pittman VA Clinic, Veterans can look forward to shorter commutes and easier access to essential healthcare services. This achievement, decades in the making, is a significant step forward in fulfilling the needs of local Veterans.
Author: Rikki Almanza
Rikki is a Web Content Coordinator for the American Legion, Department of California. With a deep-rooted connection to the military, a spouse who is a Navy veteran, a father who served in the Air Force for 25 years, and a grandfather who proudly served, Rikki is committed to using her skills and knowledge to provide valuable assistance and resources to servicemembers and veterans.
