Photo By Jeanine Mezei | Capt. Mark Eulenstein, a dentist at the U.S. Air Force Academy, performs an oral...... read more read more
About 750 people attended the event to utilize legal services, medical amenities and update their military identification cards.
Fort Carson Retirement Services Officer Carolyn Hill organized the ambitious event with the help of Soldiers and civilians throughout the local area in hopes of providing services for as many retirees as possible.
“From the turnout and surveys received, I believe the service was over and beyond the retirees’ expectations,” said Hill. “I think Fort Carson’s event stood out because of the teamwork provided by all.”
Evans Army Community Hospital and U.S. Army Medical Department Activity-Fort Carson personnel led the medical service portion to provide flu vaccinations and health screenings, to include oral cancer and blood pressure.
Spc. Lamar Hill, a preventive medicine specialist at Evans, helped guide over 280 attendees from their initial screenings for the flu vaccine to medics administering each shot. He also had the opportunity to interact with retirees and assist with their questions.
“I know they enjoy talking to junior enlisted and see themselves in us,” said Hill, who acknowledges serving retirees helps create an environment of giving back. “Retiree appreciation day is important to me because I plan on retiring myself, so it’s important for me and the retirees.”
Many retirees were thankful Fort Carson hosted the event this year and appreciated having so many specialists on hand to provide guidance face-to-face.
“There are a lot of things you can get done in one day,” said Army retiree Bob Kwiatkowski, who said he attended the event to receive his flu vaccine and find out new information. “I can ask all sorts of questions and they are so knowledgeable about the things they are presenting.”
Air Force medical personnel also came from nearby U.S. Air Force Academy and Peterson Air Force Base to lend their expertise and services for retirees. They performed blood pressure checks, educated attendees on proper diet and informed them about the Total Hip and Knee Joint Replacement offered at the academy orthopedic clinic.
“It really is a joint endeavor for the whole market,” said Lori Burrell, population health nurse at Evans, who helped coordinate medical services at the event. “It was a good venue for us to know we are able to reach out and educate.”
About 30 Junior ROTC cadets from Fountain-Fort Carson High School volunteered to hand out health information about breast cancer, diabetes, cervical cancer and healthy eating.
“People were very upbeat and energetic to see we were giving info on upcoming changes in health care plans and having an active promotion of health,” said Burrell, who emphasized empowering retirees with education. “We want to get you healthy for as long as possible so you have a better quality of life.”
| Date Taken: | 10.21.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 01.31.2018 16:35 |
| Story ID: | 264177 |
| Location: | COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO, US |
| Web Views: | 30 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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