John J. Pershing VA Medical Center Alters Operational Hours Due to Incoming Winter Storm

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. — Community-based outpatient clinics of the John J. Pershing VA Medical Center in West Plains and Farmington, Missouri, will be closed on Thursday, December 22, because of an expected strong winter storm and its potential danger and effects on travel and personal safety.

Other John J. Pershing facilities, including Poplar Bluff’s main campus and Cripple Creek location, plus Sikeston and Cape Girardeau in Missouri, as well as Pocahontas and Paragould in Arkansas, will close at 12:00 p.m. Thursday.

Additionally, with bitter cold temperatures expected through the weekend, all administrative areas and outpatient operations at all John J. Pershing locations will see a delayed opening at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, December 23. This could change, however, depending on weather and road conditions.

“We made these decisions out of an abundance of caution,” said Associate Medical Center Director, Kim Adkins. “With the potential for icy roads and the expected bitter cold temperatures with this storm, we knew this was the right thing to do for the safety of our patients and team members.”

Because of the closures and altered operational hours, staff have worked diligently to contact affected patients to get their face-to-face appointments rescheduled or converted to virtual meetings, Adkins noted.

During a closure, those experiencing a medical emergency should go to the nearest emergency room, and any Veteran experiencing a mental health crisis should call the Veterans Crisis Line by dialing 988 and pressing option 1.

For more information, please call the medical center at 573-686-4151.