User:JoannaSerah/W. G. (Bill) Hefner VA Medical Center

The W. G. (Bill) Hefner VA Medical Center (also called the Salisbury VA Medical Center) is the Veterans Health Administration medical center located in Salisbury, North Carolina. Originally opened in 1953 as a psychiatric hospital named Salisbury VA Hospital, the center has expanded its scope of services and was renamed to honor long-term congressman from North Carolina, Bill Hefner in 1999.

History
When the United States government announced that it planned to build a psychiatric hospital in North Carolina, nearly every city in the state campaigned for it. Salisbury was selected as the site in 1944, but the construction plan was cancelled in 1949 due to some budget constraints. However, Representative Robert Doughton's district covered Rowan County then and he used his influence as Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee to have the Veterans Administration reconsider cancelling the plan.

The site of the facility was around what was then known as Macay's Millpond and was previously used by the Salisbury County Club up until 1924.

It was built in three and a half years at a cost of $ 20 million. It originally opened with 973 beds and just over 1000 employees.

In early 2000, a nationwide move to improve security at VA facilities saw the arming and training of VA police. This would prove significant later in the year as a shooting in the emergency room by a patient prompted several more changes in security at the facility. In August of 2000, a patient brought to the hospital by a Rowan County Sheriff's Deputy was being treated in the emergency room when he shot the doctor treating him through the heart. The doctor was treated and later survived, but the patient died in a shoot-out with VA police. Patient searches were implemented following the incident.

It is the fourth-largest employer in Rowan County.

Campus
In late 2012, construction was completed on a new fence for the Brenner Avenue side of the campus. The total cost of the project was $ 643,901. It was put up for multiple reasons, including improved security, aesthetic appeal and as part of a push by the Veterans Administration to physically mark property boundaries.

Buildings
A new initiative to improve Building 42's long-term care capabilities began called the Long-term Care Center of Excellence Renovations. The first phase was completed in 2012 and provided a "Main Street" feel to the area surrounding the building. Shops and offices were constructed, as well as entertainment areas. Hospice facilities were constructed, also, along with what was called a "hoptel", a hotel with access to medical needs for patients.

Administration
The Hefner VAMC is part of the VA Mid-Atlantic Health Care Network (VISN 6).