VA Brings Cancer Care to Veterans in Chattanooga

Veterans battling cancer in southeast Tennessee no longer have to choose between grueling road trips and life-saving treatment. The Pointe Centre VA Clinic in Chattanooga just became an official cancer care site, bringing chemotherapy and infusion therapy to a community that desperately needed it.

Before March 2026, veterans in the Chattanooga area faced a tough reality. Cancer treatment meant three-hour drives to Nashville or referrals to community providers far from home.

For people already weakened by illness, those weekly or twice-weekly trips were exhausting. Hours on the road meant less time resting, recovering, and being with loved ones.

The numbers tell the story of what changed. Since the clinic treated its first patient in December 2025, more than 60 veterans have received cancer care right in their community. Together, they've saved over 25,000 miles of travel.

"What we're able to do here is bring that care closer so they're spending less time on the road and more time at home resting, recovering, and being with their families," said Kim Hughes, a registered nurse at the clinic.

Veteran Joel Edwards knows exactly what that means. He always brings his wife Sandra to his treatments, and the shorter drive has transformed their experience. "I'm glad the VA is here," Edwards said. "I've always gotten good care from the VA."

The Chattanooga clinic is part of VA's Close to Me Program, which focuses on bringing specialized care to rural and underserved areas. Only 30 locations nationwide were selected for the program.

The Ripple Effect

The impact reaches beyond just saving gas money and time. When cancer patients can stay close to home, their entire support system benefits.

Families don't have to rearrange schedules around day-long trips. Patients can attend appointments without overnight stays. Local nurses and doctors build relationships with veterans they see regularly.

Whitney Worthy, a nurse practitioner at the clinic, explained the program's vision: "This Close to Me location is designed to bring cancer care closer to Veterans who live in the smaller communities outside of Nashville and Murfreesboro."

The Pointe Centre serves veterans across southeast Tennessee and northern Georgia, regions where rural healthcare access has long been challenging. Now those communities have a lifeline that didn't exist six months ago.

Sometimes progress looks like a fancy new technology or breakthrough drug. Other times, it's simply bringing existing care to the people who need it most.