Los Banos ATLAS site completes 200th telehealth encounter

The ATLAS (Accessing Telehealth through Local Area Stations) site in Los Banos, California, has reached a new milestone: 200 telehealth encounters since its launch in March 2021.

Before the site opened, some Veterans had to travel up to three hours to the nearest VA Medical Center in Fresno or Palo Alto. And more than 16% of Los Banos households lacked internet access.

Navy Veteran Richard Vasquez says the Los Banos ATLAS site has been an easier way to receive his VA care. “I have had to travel 80 miles for appointments at the Fresno VA. And sometimes I would have three appointments in a week. With ATLAS, I only have to go 10 blocks for my appointment avoiding Fresno traffic and the potential for accidents,” he said.

ATLAS is part of VA’s Anywhere to Anywhere initiative which works to better serve the more than nine million Veterans who receive care through VA, no matter where they live. It provides a solution for Veterans with long travel times to VA facilities as well as for Veterans with limited internet connectivity at home.

ATLAS increases access to VA care in Los Banos

The Los Banos ATLAS site is unique because it is at a joint post between Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2487 and American Legion Post 166. Word of ATLAS spread fast from the joint post to the rest of Veteran community living in and around Los Banos. The ATLAS site is available to any Veteran enrolled in care at Fresno VA.

The state-of-the-art ATLAS pod is equipped with high-speed internet access, a site attendant and the technology needed for video telehealth visits. The site offers a private space for Veterans to meet with their VA providers through VA Video Connect, VA’s secure videoconferencing app.

“The site attendant helps me connect and then the provider joins. The soundproof room eliminates the concern of confidentiality or privacy issues,” Vazquez said.

Before the ATLAS site was established, post members would bring a laptop to the post that Veterans could use for video visits with their VA providers. Now post members and other Veterans have easier access to VA care.

“I was waiting to see somebody for my PTSD and ATLAS has allowed me to see a provider in Texas. I use ATLAS every chance I get and I request it for all the appointments I can. I’m 78 years old. If I can do it, anybody can do it,” he added.

Dr. Tara Cummings, clinical psychologist at Central California VA, provides care to Vasquez through video visits at the Los Banos ATLAS site. She agrees that ATLAS benefits Veterans who don’t usually have convenient access to care.

“It is so great to have this option. ATLAS can bring care to a Veteran who otherwise might not be able to or willing to access mental health care. I think without it many Veterans would not get the care they need,” Cummings said.

Fresno VA recognized for promoting Los Banos ATLAS site

The medical center has had great success raising awareness about the Los Banos ATLAS site. The site has had more video visits than any other ATLAS site.

Public Affairs Officer Will McCullough was recently recognized for his work promoting the site. In 2021, he created a multimedia campaign to promote the ATLAS site’s launch to local Veterans. The campaign materials included articles, flyers, media releases, social media content and videos.

“I’m grateful for our dedicated staff and all the individuals responsible for the success of the ATLAS program so Veterans can get access to care closer to home,” McCullough said. “Our outreach team, VA Connected Care and the incredible staff at the combined American Legion and VFW post in Los Banos continue to do an amazing job.”

ATLAS sites across the country

Veterans can access clinical services that do not require hands-on exams through video visits at ATLAS sites. These services vary by location but can include primary care, mental health care and specialty care services.

Want to see what an ATLAS pod looks like? Watch this video showing the Los Banos ATLAS pod.

VFW Post 2487 is one of several ATLAS sites nationwide. To learn more about ATLAS and find sites nationwide, visit the ATLAS webpage.