John J. Pershing VA Medical Center Celebrates 75 Years of Serving Veterans

Poplar Bluff, Mo. (KFMO) - The John J. Pershing VA Medical Center in Poplar Bluff marked its 75th anniversary this month, celebrating decades of service to area Veterans as the Department of Veterans Affairs observes Freedom 250 and the Veterans Health Administration recognizes its 80th anniversary.

The facility’s history dates back to 1944 when efforts began to bring a Veterans hospital to southeast Missouri. Poplar Bluff Chamber of Commerce Executive Secretary Joe Merva pushed for the city to be considered after learning a VA hospital was planned for the region.

On December 5, 1945, President Harry Truman approved Poplar Bluff as the site for the new hospital. A 30-acre tract along U.S. Highway 67 was later selected for construction.

Groundbreaking for the $5.4 million facility took place on February 18, 1948. The hospital was formally dedicated on November 25, 1950, before officially opening in January 1951. The first patient admitted was World War II Veteran Bernard Davis of Zalma, Missouri.

Originally a 200-bed hospital with around 275 employees, the medical center quickly became a major provider of Veteran health care in the region.

In 1985, the facility was officially renamed the John J. Pershing VA Medical Center in honor of General John J. Pershing, the Missouri native who led American Expeditionary Forces during World War I.

Over the decades, the medical center underwent several major improvements, including air conditioning upgrades, seismic reinforcement projects, electrical system replacement work, clinic remodeling, and the addition of a new front entrance and education building completed in 2020.

The VA system also expanded beyond Poplar Bluff with community clinics opening in Cape Girardeau, West Plains, Paragould, Farmington, Sikeston, and Pocahontas. A new VA Health Care Center opened in Cape Girardeau in 2022, while a new clinic opened in West Plains earlier this year.

Today, the John J. Pershing VA Medical Center employs approximately 1,050 people across seven facilities and serves more than 24,000 Veterans in 29 counties. Services include primary care, mental health care, urgent care, inpatient acute care, rehabilitation services, cardiology, podiatry, audiology, pharmacy, and laboratory testing.

Additional information about services and programs is available through the John J. Pershing VA Medical Center official website.