Womack Army Medical Center and Fayetteville North Carolina VA Health Care System held a historic Ribbon Cutting Ceremony this morning, Dec. 1, to celebrate the opening of an Inpatient Dialysis Center to provide services for active-duty Soldiers, retirees, VA patients and their families.

“The acute inpatient dialysis project was born out of two requirements first was the need for this capability to expand trauma and graduate medical education services at Womack Army Medical Center and second to find a more cost effective means for inpatients for veterans and benefits of Veterans Affairs,” shared Col. Dr. David De Blasio.

During the ceremony, Colonel David Zinnante, Commander of Womack Army Medical Center, shared that the concept of the joint inpatient dialysis center was initially established back in 2018. Though unexpected challenges like COVID slowed down the process, the team remained committed to seeing the idea through to completion. 

“It really was a labor of love. A lot of work from director Fryar, from our entire team, the VAs entire medical team, and really Dr. De Blasio, never losing sight or given up on the dream and what this could do for our for our community and then on June 9 2023, we were able to take our first patient so again, just wonderful on how this materialized and all the teamwork and collaboration that really took place to make this happen,” remarked Colonel Zinnante. 

This joint effort is a testament to the commitment of both organizations to serve those who have served this country.