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New Veteran "Home Away From Home" Opens Near Dayton VA Medical Center

 The new Dayton VA Fisher House is located just a short distance from the medical center.
Fisher House
The new Dayton VA Fisher House is located just a short distance from the medical center.

Last week, the Dayton VA Medical Center celebrated the opening of Fisher House, a new facility offering free lodging for family members, veteran caregivers and active-duty servicemembers while they’re visiting the VA.

Fisher House Manager Betsy Striebel says the facility aims to serve as a comfortable “home away from home” for patients under the VA’s care.

“This gives our families an opportunity to come with their veteran and see the care that's being provided for them, hear what the doctor is telling them. And the Fisher House Foundation believes that a family's love is good medicine, meaning that when a family member is nearby, the veteran us likely to be happier, be healthier, recover faster." 

The Fisher House Foundation, Inc. has been building comfort homes like the Dayton VA’s since 1991, when the first two homes opened.

There are now 78 such facilities operating around the world. The new Dayton VA Fisher House is located just a short distance from the medical center.

The 14,000-square foot facility is made up of 16 private residential suites and common areas, including a large kitchen, living, dining and family rooms, and laundry and outdoor patio areas.

The house is already serving as a temporary home to several families and service members receiving care at the VA. 

Here the Full interview with Betsy Striebel, Fisher House manager, in this excerpt from WYSO Weekend.

The Dayton VA Medical Center Fisher House address is: Bldg. 425 Dayton, OH 45428. For more information about the Fisher House, you can call Betsy Striebel at 937-268-6511 ext.2887, or call 937-267-3900. 

New Veteran "Home Away From Home" Opens Near Dayton VA Medical Center

Copyright 2018 WYSO

Jerry Kenney was introduced to WYSO by a friend and within a year of first tuning in became an avid listener and supporter. He began volunteering at the station in 1991 and began hosting Alpha Rhythms in February of 1992. Jerry joined the WYSO staff in 2007 as a host of All Things Considered and soon transitioned into hosting Morning Edition. In addition to now hosting All Things Considered, Jerry is the host and producer of WYSO Weekend, WYSO's weekly news and arts magazine. He has also produced several radio dramas for WYSO in collaboration with local theater companies. Jerry has won several Ohio AP awards as well as an award from PRINDI for his work with the WYSO news department. Jerry says that the best part of his job is being able to talk to people in the community and share their experiences with WYSO listeners.