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History of the Samuel S. Stratton VA Medical Center
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Commitment and Excellence in Health Care
Since 1951
The campaign to build Albany Samuel S. Stratton Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center began in 1945 with help from Congressmen, the Times Union, WGY and a patriotic community who wanted their war injured close to home. The Albany Stratton VA Medical Center was built on the twin promises of providing America's heroes with excellent health care and serving the surrounding community.
In the wake of World War II, 16 million veterans were left without adequate health care and there were not a sufficient number of hospital beds in the nation to accommodate the wounded who had so bravely served.
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| Albany Stratton VA Medical Center |
Research and new technology are a large part of fulfilling the original promise. The Albany Stratton VA Medical Center was the first medical facility in the area to provide radiation therapy to serve both veterans and the community. The research showing that Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a physiological based illness originated at the Albany Stratton VA Medical Center. In the 1980s Dr. Kolb and his colleagues created a test to measure physiological reaction among combat veterans. This discovery serves combat veterans all over the world as well as anyone exposed to trauma.
Today, Stratton VA Medical Center is a proud member of VA Health Care Upstate New York stretching from Albany to Buffalo and providing a full range of inpatient and outpatient services. The Network's emphasis on patient safety and improved access for care was recently acknowledged with the presentation of the National Carey Award to the Network, VA's highest honor recognizing quality.
Eleven Primary Care Clinics in the community bring care closer to where veterans live. As one of the largest employers in the region, Stratton VA Medical Center impacts the community both medically and economically, employing approximately 1,200 people. In addition, the Stratton VA Medical Center appreciates the contribution of more than 700 volunteers.
Recent advances in medical technology include the use of bar code medicine dispensing. VA Health Care Upstate New York is the first in the nation to implement this technology that is the most advanced method for minimizing medication errors.
Stratton VA Medical Center leads health care in the community in its use of Stereotactic Radiosurgery. The Stratton VA Medical Center was one of the first four places in the world able to use this technology on the entire body, not the just the brain.
The Stratton VA Medical Center continues to grow and improve in a community of supportive leaders and volunteers and with a highly professional, dedicated staff. More than fifty years of VA health care in Albany is indeed, a very proud accomplishment.
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Samuel S. Stratton
1916-1990
A Great American Remembered
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Congressman Samuel Studdiford Stratton represented the capital region and other upstate areas of New York State for 30 years. He retired at the end of his fifteenth consecutive term in 1988.
In public service, Congressman Samuel Stratton was a standard of excellence. Described as a hand-shaking politician, Stratton's directness with people led to his steadfast popularity.
Stratton's political career evolved from Naval Intelligence Officer, Schenectady City Councilman, Mayor of Schenectady, and Congressman.
Stratton joined the U.S. Navy in 1940 and he received the Bronze Star for his wartime services. Stratton was Deputy Secretary-General of the Far Eastern Commission in the State Department from 1946-1948. During this time he met and married the former Joan Harris.
In 1949 Stratton was elected to the Schenectady City Council where he served until his Mayoral election in 1956. Mayor Stratton became known as a fearless reformer who lent new leadership to the police and arrested numerous illegal gambling rings.
In 1958 Stratton ran for Congress and won. A Democrat, in largely Republican Upstate New York, Stratton proved to be an unmovable political power.
Stratton's steadfast support for the American military led to the renaming of the Glenville Air National Guard Base. He led the long fight to preserve the west facade of the Capital, sponsoring the bill to allow women to attend national academies, and sponsoring legislation providing for four national holidays to fall on a Monday, giving Americans additional three-day weekends.
Democratic and Republican peers alike respected Congressman Samuel S. Stratton's expertise in national security and his keen instinct of what was right for America. Congressman Stratton was a strong politician and a fine public servant.
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