El Paso VA clinic adds evening pharmacy service, acting chief to depart in October

The El Paso VA Healthcare Clinic said Thursday it has added a pharmacist to its extended-hours walk-in clinic and plans to expand after-hours prescription access for veterans within two to three weeks.

The update came during the Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee meeting Sept. 18 in remarks from Amina Dreyquez, introduced in the meeting as the clinic’s chief. “We do now have a pharmacist, that is staying. And so if our veterans who are coming into our walk in extended hours clinic, need their meds, we can give it to them there,” Dreyquez said.

Dreyquez said the clinic’s extended-hours walk-in primary care operates roughly 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., and that once staffing is in place — she estimated two to three weeks — any veteran with an active prescription will be able to fill medications during those hours, not only patients already seen that day. She cautioned the service is not an emergency room; it is intended for primary-care issues such as coughs or sore throats.

The clinic also reported behavioral health coverage for crisis events currently extends until about 5:45–6:00 p.m. and managers are seeking staff to extend behavioral-health coverage through the clinic’s full evening hours. “Right now we have a coverage for crisis behavioral health crisis up to about 05:45, 6PM. We're gonna try to extend that even more,” Dreyquez said.

Clinic staff said they are exploring expanded radiology and lab services beyond scheduled imaging but noted that expansion depends on demand and staffing. Dreyquez said staff have been monitoring clinic use to determine how much additional evening capacity is needed.

Dreyquez also announced she will depart El Paso Oct. 17 and said an acting director from San Antonio will arrive in early October to transition into the post. “October 17 will be my last day, here in El Paso,” she said. “Our new acting director…is Mr. Shane So to. So he will be arriving here, early in October, so him and I can have a transition.” (Transcript spelling of the incoming acting director appears as “So to.”)

Clinic staff and committee members also highlighted ongoing community activities tied to suicide-prevention and hunger-awareness efforts. Dreyquez noted a veteran family night, the “Blanket of Hope” event, scheduled Sept. 26 from 4:30–7:30 p.m. at the South Central Wellness Center and ongoing food donations for unsheltered veterans. Committee members described a weekly food distribution partnership at the main campus.

The clinic encouraged veterans who need urgent care for suicidal ideation, hallucinations or other emergencies to seek an emergency room; the evening clinic is positioned for lower-acuity, walk-in primary care and medication needs.

Committee members asked for clarification about crisis coverage and the available hours; Dreyquez confirmed the current behavioral health crisis coverage through about 6 p.m. and a goal to extend that to match primary-care evening hours. She also reiterated the clinic’s drive to increase veteran awareness and use of extended hours.

No formal actions were taken by the advisory committee at the Sept. 18 meeting because there was not a quorum.

Community members and committee representatives encouraged veterans and service organizations to share event details and to alert constituents that the after-hours walk-in service and new pharmacy capability are available.