Photo By Staff Sgt. Bethany Rizor | Tech. Sgt. Larry Deluna, 149th Medical Group biomedical equipment technician,...... read more read more
Guaynabo, Puerto Rico — Over the past two weeks medical personnel from the Air National Guard and U.S. Navy Reserve provided no-cost dental, optical and medical care in several cities in Puerto Rico in support of Innovative Readiness Training Ola de Esperanza Sanadora.
The IRT is a health care training mission involving more than 200 Sailors, Soldiers and Airmen from the Air National Guard, U.S. Navy Reserve, and active duty Army and Navy. Part of a long-running Defense Department initiative, this mission operated in four clinic locations in Cataño, Guaynabo, Humacao and Yabucoa from Aug. 11 to Sept. 7.
In total, 8,500 procedures were performed and 3,845 patients were seen for an equivalent of approximately $1,073,000 in patient care.
The procedures included primary care exams and dental work to include fillings, cleanings, tooth extractions and more. Optometrists and optometry technicians provided eye exams that resulted in the fabrication of 1,629 pairs of glasses which were provided to patients at no cost.
“Any chance you have an opportunity to help people out, you have to jump on it,” said Staff Sgt. Jonathan Scrobe, 108th Air Refueling Wing materiel management specialist. “I’m honored to help out in any small way I can.”
Service members lived in community facilities and experienced much of Puerto Rican culture while on the island.
“I think it’s a very joyous, happy, positive culture,” said Chief Hospital Corpsman Dan Gomez, the senior enlisted leader for U.S. Navy Reserve personnel at the IRT. “The landscape is beautiful, the beaches are breathtaking, and the people are so friendly and open and warm.”
Many community members have not had health insurance coverage in years, particularly following Hurricane Maria.
“People thank us so much and it feels great,” said Senior Airmen Hildebrando Duarte, 108th Air Refueling Wing materiel management specialist.
Airmen and Sailors received more than 24,700 training hours, allowing them to hone their skills while providing care for American citizens.
“There were a lot of obstacles, but they were overcome through the power of thinking and innovation to get over the hurdles,” Gomez said. “We put our heads together and got the mission done well.”
| Date Taken: | 09.10.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 09.10.2018 12:40 |
| Story ID: | 292074 |
| Location: | GUAYNABO, PR |
| Web Views: | 275 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, IRT Ola de Esperanza Sanadora provides Puerto Ricans over $1M in patient care, by SSgt Michelle Ulber, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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