New VA-DoD Facility Named for Astronaut Jim Lovell

100,000 to Be Served by First-of-its-Kind Health Center

NORTH CHICAGO, Ill. – A unique health care facility combining the resources of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Defense (DoD) will be named in honor of local native, Navy veteran and astronaut James A. Lovell.

“By placing Jim Lovell’s name on this place of healing, it is my hope we will instill his courage, leadership and innovation to all who walk through these doors,” said Acting Secretary of Veterans Affairs Gordon H. Mansfield.  “It is a deserved tribute to an American hero and a fitting name as we embark on a new approach in providing 21^st century health care for our veterans, our warriors and their families.”

The new James A. Lovell VA-DoD Federal Health Care Facility, scheduled to open in 2010, will care for nearly 100,000 veterans, sailors, retirees and family members.  The new facility will result from the merger of the North Chicago VA Medical Center and the Great Lakes Naval Hospital.  

This joint $130 million initiative marks the first totally integrated federal health care facility in the country.  

Jim Lovell, a Chicago native, naval aviation veteran of the Korean War and former astronaut, was command pilot of Apollo 8, the first Apollo mission to enter lunar orbit.  He also commanded Apollo 13, which suffered an explosion enroute to the Moon and was brought back safely to Earth by the efforts of its crew and mission control.  Lovell is a recipient of the Congressional Space Medal of Honor and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Also attending the dedication ceremony today were Illinois 10^th District Congressman Mark Kirk, Navy Surgeon General Vice Adm. Adam M. Robinson and Academy Award nominee Gary Sinise.