A groundbreaking ceremony was recently held for the David A. Thatcher VA Community Clinic, located in Missoula, Montana. When complete in 2022, the clinic will offer 56,700 rentable square feet, nearly three times as many as the current clinic, and serve more than 47,000 area veterans.
The facility expands the capacity to offer primary care, mental health and specialty services to veterans in the area. Additional functions include women’s health, sleep therapy, prosthetic services, telehealth, physical therapy, lab work and pharmacy.
The clinic is laid out to enable the VA’s Patient-Aligned Care Team model, which groups clinicians together in multi-disciplinary teams, encouraging collaboration and patient-centered care.
The exterior of the building integrates metal panels, cast stone, brick and glass, which designers say is intended to complement the surrounding Missoula architecture and landscape. A healing garden and extensive walking paths offer a peaceful environment for patients to engage with nature. An entryway canopy provides protection from the elements.
The site provides room for 285 parking spaces, which includes standard and van accessible spaces, as well as motorcycle parking and bicycle racks. The clinic is conveniently located close to three major thoroughfares.
The bipartisan VA Choice and Quality Employment Act of 2017 authorized the lease for the clinic, which is being developed by Juliet Development and Hamstra Builders. Design firm LEO A DALY is providing planning, architecture, engineering, interiors and sustainability consulting on the project. The civil engineer is IMEG Corp. and construction is being jointly performed by Hamstra Builders and Quality Construction Company.
Architectural rendering of the new VA clinic in Missoula, Montana. Rendering courtesy of LEO A DALY. 
