A long-awaited process for area veterans is coming soon to Emporia’s American Legion Post 5.
A new ATLAS pod will be installed, essentially serving as a videoconferencing facility for veterans needing medical appointments. Veteran Ron Whitney says this will benefit a lot of area veterans.
Shortly after it was announced almost a year ago by Senator Jerry Moran and Congressman Tracey Mann, Veterans Administration Secretary Denis McDonough said the push towards using ATLAS pods demonstrates the “explosion” of telemedicine through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Installation of the 8 foot-by-8 foot enclosed and soundproofed pod begins Monday and could go all week. Legion volunteers and staff will be trained to help veterans through the appointment process. Veterans will need to make appointments through VA offices, either in Topeka or Wichita, before using the Emporia ATLAS pod. Whitney says the pod will be useful for prescriptions, social work, psychology, nutrition, addiction therapy and similar needs. Appointments are needed and will be slated every Friday.
Emporia is the only ATLAS pod activated in Kansas at this time and the sixth one to be installed nationwide.
