Photo By Maj. Chad Nixon | Spc. Ashley Greco, an Army Reserve medic with the 114th Minimal Care Detachment, takes...... read more read more
MURPHY, N.C. – Soldiers from the 807th Medical Command (Deployment Support) led Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) mission Appalachian Care 2014, to provide medical, dental, optometry and veterinary services to rural North Carolina communities in need of medical treatment June 2-12.
In 10 fast-paced days, the Appalachian Care team consisting of 170 service members provided medical assistance to more than 7,000 local residents and serviced approximately 2,150 cats and dogs in Murphy, Andrews and Bryson City.
Appalachian Care 2014 is a training event consisting of active, reserve and National Guard service members. The mission provides significant, valuable and realistic training in a deployed environment while helping civilians receive medical treatment in rural locations.
The coordination and planning for Appalachian Care was a two year process involving the Department of Defense, North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Swain and Cherokee County Health Departments and more than 80 other government and volunteer organizations.
“This has truly been an incorporation of civilian and government offices working together to provided much needed support to the people of North Carolina,” said Army 1st Lt. Elena Naumova, safety officer for the 172nd Multifunctional Medical Battalion, 807th Medical Command, Ogden, Utah.
“The Soldiers were very friendly and helpful,” said Jonny Uccellini, a local painter from Murphy. “It’s been 14 years since my last dental exam due to lack of medical insurance.”
When asked if he would ever use the military for treatment again, Jonny laughed and stated, “I hope I never need it, but if I do, I will be first in line.”
Many local residents have been hit hard during the last few years due to a drop in the economy and changes in industrialization. According to the Bureau of Labor Statics, both Cherokee and Swain Counties fall above the average state unemployment rate of 6.3 percent, reaching as high 8.5 percent.
“I grew up here in the 60s,” said Andrews Mayor Nancy Curtis. “We had plants and we had jobs. However, when the new road bypassed our downtown, it hurt us.”
Curtis continued to speak about the positive feedback she received from locals.
“Everybody I’ve talked to that’s been here says how much they like you and how terrific you all are - we’re really happy you’re here.”
In the past, 807th Soldiers have deployed to overseas locations like Honduras, Belize, Guatemala and the Dominican Republic to provide medical resources not readily available. This year efforts are being expanded to areas like South Dakota and Montana to emphasize domestic training and humanitarian capabilities.
“It’s heartwarming to conduct a training mission that affects Americans in such positive way,” said Capt. Lee Jackson, a nurse practitioner with the 325th Combat Support Hospital, Kansas City, Missouri. “Everyone from the patients to local shop owners has welcomed us with open arms.”
| Date Taken: | 06.13.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 06.13.2014 15:10 |
| Story ID: | 133059 |
| Location: | MURPHY, NC, US |
| Hometown: | KANSAS CITY, MO, US |
| Web Views: | 450 |
| Downloads: | 4 |
This work, Innovative Readiness Training brings aid to North Carolina, by MAJ Chad Nixon, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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