Photo By Airman 1st Class Danielle Dawson | Servicemembers from across the Department of Defense assigned to units across the...... read more read more
Operation Healthy Delta Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) has come to a close in Anna, Illinois, Poplar Bluff, Missouri, and Sikeston, Missouri.
The IRT mission ran from June 9–23, 2023, and focused on training and readiness skills for more than 290 uniformed service members from across the Departments of Defense and Health and Human Services, while providing health services to the local community.
“This mission has given our service members the chance to apply learned skills in real life scenarios,” said U.S. Air National Guard Lt. Col. Cristina Fenwick, the officer in charge of Operation Healthy Delta. “The training from IRT missions and the outreach to the community are invaluable to our service members and the surrounding areas.”
The mission provided dental, ophthalmic, mental health, medical and physical therapy services to civilians at no cost, said Fenwick, who serves with the 131st Bomb Wing, Missouri Air National Guard.
“For many of the community members who come to Operation Healthy Delta, it's the first time they’ve seen a medical provider for many years,” said Joel Evans, president and CEO of Delta Area Economic Opportunity Corporation. “We had a patient come in for a routine eye exam and the doctor found a previously undiagnosed tumor behind the patient's eye that would have blinded them or possibly killed them, so on a personal level it’s a huge impact.”
In total, 2,322 patients were seen and 17,977 procedures were performed which saved residents approximately $1.677 million.
“This has been a great opportunity,” said Pfc. Joshua Smith, dental technician with the 904th Medical Detachment, Springfield, Missouri. “I feel like we made a difference here and had a positive impact on the local community.”
| Date Taken: | 06.21.2023 |
| Date Posted: | 06.27.2023 12:43 |
| Story ID: | 447671 |
| Location: | POPLAR BLUFF, MISSOURI, US |
| Hometown: | ANNA, ILLINOIS, US |
| Hometown: | POPLAR BLUFF, MISSOURI, US |
| Hometown: | SIKESTON, MISSOURI, US |
| Hometown: | SPRINGFIELD, MISSOURI, US |
| Hometown: | WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, MISSOURI, US |
| Web Views: | 57 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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