Cedar Key News

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Fisher House Coming to VA in Gainesville

Cindy Gaylord

Facility to Provide Free Lodging for Families of VA Patients

GAINESVILLE, Fla. - Safe, comfortable and affordable housing for families of Veterans being treated at the Malcom Randall VA Medical Center in Gainesville is moving closer to reality as VA refines its plans for a new Fisher House.

The new Fisher House will be 100 percent handicapped accessible and will have 20 bedrooms or suites and several common use areas.

"The building of a Fisher House at the Malcom Randall VA Medical Center represents the dedication of our local Gainesville Fisher House Foundation," said North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System Director Thomas Wisnieski. "They saw a need for a facility that allows families of Veterans to stay close to their loved ones while they are receiving medical treatment and worked many years to make it a reality."

Fisher Houses are built through public donations and contributions from the Fisher House Foundation. VA assumes responsibility for operating costs of the finished homes.

Currently, VA has Fisher Houses in Albany, N.Y.; Augusta, Ga.; Bay Pines, Fla.; Boston; Chicago; Cincinnati; Dallas; Denver; Houston; Los Angeles; Miami; Minneapolis; Palo Alto, Calif.; Richmond, Va.; St. Louis; Salt Lake City; Seattle; Tampa, Fla.; West Palm Beach, Fla.; and Washington, D.C.
Fisher Houses are under construction at VA facilities in Pittsburgh and San Antonio.