Information Session on Possible Closing of Chillicothe VA Medical Center

Veterans aired concerns, and public officials spoke or listened, in an information session Thursday night on the possible closing of the Chillicothe VA Medical Center. Frustration and mistrust of politics and bureaucracy - and trust, comfort, and familiarity with a local facility they know - were the main themes of the night.

Stacia Ruby, Public Affairs Officer at the Chillicothe VA Medical Center, shared the podium with the Diane Gerber-Caldwell, Facility Planner, at American Legion Post 62 in Chillicothe.

Ruby pointed out that sometime in the next year, the VA commission that recommended reducing services will have to host a public hearing in the Chillicothe area.

She also maintains a Chillicothe VA Facebook page which has links to two podcasts on the proposed closing, and the original report.

About 45 people attended the two-hour session. Among the public officials or their representatives present, were:

US Senator Sherrod Brown's liaison
US Congressman Rob Portman's liaison
Ohio State Representative Mark Johnson
Bonnie Ward, Governor's Southeast Regional Liaison
Tammy Puff, Governor's Military and Veterans Liaison
Deidra Nickerson, Third Ward Chillicothe Council member

Hear the full interview with Ruby, and some of the discussions, below.

Kevin Coleman reports on local government and culture

1 of 5
One of several veterans spoke up and urged action on the potential closing of the Chillicothe VA Medical Center, in a two-hour information session at American Legion Post 62 in Chillicothe.
2 of 5
About 45 people attended a two-hour information session on the possible closing of the Chillicothe VA Medical Center.
3 of 5
Stacia Ruby, Public Affairs Officer at the Chillicothe VA Medical Center, shared the podium with Diane Gerber-Caldwell, Chillicothe VA Medical Center Facility Planner, in an information session on the potential closing of the Chillicothe VA Medical Center at American Legion Post 62.
4 of 5
One of several veterans spoke up and urged action on the potential closing of the Chillicothe VA Medical Center, in a two-hour information session at American Legion Post 62 in Chillicothe.
5 of 5
One of several veterans spoke up and urged action on the potential closing of the Chillicothe VA Medical Center, with two VA officials who explained the situation, in a two-hour information session at American Legion Post 62 in Chillicothe.

Stacia Ruby, Public Affairs Officer at the Chillicothe VA Medical Center, summarized the information session on the possible closing of the Chillicothe VA Medical Center.

Various public officials or their representatives were present, and some spoke at one point along with veterans, including (roughly in order) Ohio State Representative Mark Johnson, US Senator Sherrod Brown's liaison, Public Affairs Officer at the Chillicothe VA Medical Center Stacia Ruby, and VA union representative Jessica Fee.