More than 4 million Veterans return from active military careers to reside in rural communities. At VA, we work to meet these Veterans where they live and promote the opportunities to find happy homes in these rural communities around the country.
Like the Veterans we help heal, these rural communities are as engaging and exciting as you can imagine. And, like them, you may find an opportunity to be closer to family and friends, or just enjoy a greater sense of privacy. Perhaps the lower cost of living or even the allure of open space is appealing.
Whatever you’re looking for, these locations have a lot to offer. Today, we’ll explore Poplar Bluff, Missouri, and the John J. Pershing VA Medical Center.
History of John J. Pershing VA Medical Center
As with other VA facilities in rural areas, the campaign to bring a Veterans’ hospital to Poplar Bluff began with a push by the community.
In 1944, after learning from a news dispatch that a new facility was proposed to serve the Veterans of southeastern Missouri, the Poplar Bluff Chamber of Commerce reached out to Congressman Orville Zimmerman asking that Poplar Bluff be considered. The request was approved by President Harry S. Truman on Dec. 5, 1945.
The groundbreaking for the new hospital was held on a site covering 30 acres of ground bordering U.S. Highway 6 on Feb. 18, 1948. With an original cost of $5.4 million, the hospital was formally dedicated on Nov. 25, 1950. At the start of the new year, the facility welcomed its first patient, a farmer and WWII Veteran from Zalma, Missouri.
The medical center was ultimately named for General John J. Pershing, a Missouri native who commanded the American Expeditionary Forces on the Western Front in World War I. Pershing is the only American to be promoted during his lifetime to the rank of General of the Armies, the highest possible rank in the U.S. Army.
Poplar Bluff, Missouri
Situated in southeast Missouri midway between St. Louis, Missouri, and Memphis, Tennessee, Poplar Bluff is home to about 17,000 people, a far cry from the 10 families that made up the original community of European settlers.
That community was founded in 1850 as part of the newly formed Butler County, though it was not officially incorporated until 1870. The town, soon to be the region’s county seat, was named after the abundance of poplar trees that grew along the Black River, and several community resources now operate on that original site.
Modern Poplar Bluff remains nestled among Ozark foothills, enjoying spring-fed streams, a national forest, a peaceful lake, and fertile farmland, all making for an excellent outdoor experience. The town also serves as a regional hub for education, health care, business, and light industry for over 100,000 people in the county.
The community prides itself on being a getaway destination that makes for the perfect escape. Whether it’s the award-winning BBQ or the best pink lemonade in the region, a show at the historic Rodgers Theatre or a locally brewed beer at dinner, Poplar Bluff has plenty to offer in the way of attractions and adventure.
Jobs at John J. Pershing VA Medical Center
The John J. Pershing VA Medical Center serves the health care needs of Veterans living in 29 counties in southern Missouri and northeastern Arkansas. Last year, the facility was given a 5-star rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) as part of the agency’s Overall Hospital Quality Star Ratings program.
Part of the aptly named VA Poplar Bluff Health Care system, John J. Pershing VA Medical Center is a general medicine teaching hospital. It provides training in nursing, laboratory technology, secretarial science, dental assisting, computer science, social work, physical therapy, and optometry.
Work at VA
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