Caring For Veterans

Story By Natalie Salvatore Photos Contributed By The Robert S. Poydasheff Veterans Affairs Clinic

Named after a dedicated Army veteran, the Robert S. Poydasheff Veterans Affairs (VA) Clinic first opened on July 11 in Columbus, Georgia. Since its grand opening on July 22 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony to commemorate the moment, this 55,000-square-foot facility has seen great success, as it currently serves approximately 25,000 veterans in the Chattahoochee Valley.

“One of the unique things about it is we are treating roughly 4,000 female veterans at this clinic,” said Prudence Howard, associate director for the Central Alabama Veterans Health Care System (CAVHCS).

The health care system’s almost two years of preparation helped make this clinic a reality.

“I am ecstatic,” Howard said. “The veterans are enjoying having that clinic there, and as long as they are happy, I am happy.”

Although Howard is not located at the clinic, she works in Montgomery at one of the system’s main campuses as part of its executive leadership team. Services she works with include health administrative, chaplain, nutrition and food services, as well as a center for civil engagement and development and an office for community care.

CAVHCS has four sites for care in the Columbus metropolitan area that work alongside this clinic, including an optometry clinic in the Martin Army Community Hospital on base of Fort Benning. Its downtown Columbus clinic, which opened in March 2021 and was formerly located on 13th Avenue, has since been replaced by the Poydasheff clinic.

Col. (Ret.) Poydasheff had an extraordinary life of service and dedication to his community. Born in the Bronx in New York City, he completed his bachelor’s degree from the Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina, where he also received his commission. He then earned his Juris Doctor from Tulane Law School, as well as a master’s degree in international relations from Boston College.

Howard said that Poydasheff, a Vietnam War veteran, served for 24 years in the Army and was ranked colonel upon retirement. He also began his career as an infantry officer and later transferred to judge advocate general colonel.

His service for others did not stop there. Upon retirement from the military, Poydasheff started a private law firm back in Columbus. He then served as a city council member from 1994 to 2002, before serving as the mayor of Columbus from 2003 to 2007. The local hero died on Sept. 24, 2020.

To honor his legacy and remember his story, the clinic dedicated its new name to him and gave his wife, son and daughter-in-law a special family walkthrough before its grand opening to the public.

Howard explained that representatives for Georgia’s 2nd and 3rd congressional districts were also a part of the clinic’s background. They proposed legislation for the clinic’s new name. President Joe Biden signed the bill into law on Nov.

12, 2021.

“Congressmen Sanford Bishop and Drew Ferguson were really instrumental in getting this clinic,” she said. “It was their idea to have the clinic named after Poydasheff.”

The COVID-19 pandemic had little effect on the clinic’s operations.

“One of the things we continue to do is screen everyone that comes into the building, and we are under a 100% mask mandate,” Howard said.

The clinic is for veterans only. Besides the standard primary care services, the clinic also has social work, dental work, optometry services, clinical pharmacy audiology, physical and occupational therapy, prosthetics, radiology and various tele-health specialty services as well. This clinic’s wide-ranging selection of healthcare services, combined with its mission of serving veterans, demonstrates the positive and inspiring impact it has had so far on the community.

The Poydasheff Clinic is looking forward to serving more veterans in the future. The clinic is located at 6910 River Road in Columbus. For more information, call 706-257-7205.