Battle creek va celebrates 100 years of veteran care | va battle creek health care | veterans affairs

Veterans, staff, and community members from southwest Michigan gathered at Battle Creek VA Medical Center, in Battle Creek, Michigan, October 15, to celebrate and recognize the hospitals’

100th anniversary of care to Veterans in the region from when it first opened on October 15, 1924. The event began with a flyover of T-34 ‘Mentor’ and L-17 ‘Navion’ aircraft, and then an

official Color Guard presentation from the local Native American Potawatomi tribe, and an invocation from Chaplain Sherri Headen. “It’s remarkable to reflect on the journey that brought us

to this moment—one that spans a century of service, care, and commitment to Veterans,” said Michelle Martin, Battle Creek VA Medical Center Executive Director. “What began as a barren

landscape of sand dunes has transformed into the beautiful, healing campus we see today, a sanctuary for residential mental health recovery and whole health care.” When it opened, it was

first called Veterans Hospital Number 100 because it was the 100th VA hospital in the United States. From start to completion of the original hospital, the task took 500 days and provided 22

buildings that were able to support 500 Veteran patients when operating at full capacity. Since then, the medical center has grown and shifted its services to accommodate the developing

needs of Veterans who reside not only in southwest Michigan, but also those who live in east Michigan and northern areas of Ohio and Indiana. Battle Creek VA now has four clinics in Benton

Harbor, Lansing, Muskegon, and Wyoming to help serve Veterans in the region, and is developing plans to add three more soon. “As we look toward the future, we are also preparing for the next

100 years of Veteran care as we are positioning the Battle Creek VA Medical Center to be the provider of choice and a place where Veterans can find the highest quality care and the respect

they deserve,” said Martin. “Healthcare is constantly evolving, and we are committed to evolving with it, always focused on meeting the needs of today’s Veterans and those who will follow.”

The Battle Creek VA Medical Center currently serves 44,908 Veterans. In 2023, Battle Creek VA had over 1,900 employees, which included 469 employees who were Veterans. The medical center had

326 volunteers in 2023 who donated 24,036 hours to help Veterans. The hospital has 221 total operating beds including 45 mental health beds, 75 community living center beds and 101

rehabilitation treatment beds. “We started as a neuropsychiatric facility and at one time had as many 2,000 patients, and we still maintain a regional hub for Residential Mental Health

Programs,” said Dr. Ketan Shah, Battle Creek VA Medical Center Chief of Staff. “Our providers deliver care that is focused on the whole health of our Veterans, and they understand the needs

of Veterans. That is why Veterans continue to choose the Battle Creek VA Medical Center.” Following the ceremony, staff and guests toured the campus and viewed displays including military

vehicles, a vintage car show, and food trucks. There was also a 100th anniversary exhibit, hot air balloons, and live music. Additionally, the event set up a Resource Fair and Health &

Wellness exhibit for attendees to learn more about Whole Health and other useful VA healthcare programs and initiatives.