Photo By 1st Lt. Harrison Gold | Tech Sgt. Donna Smith (left), Capt. Julie Blissett (center), and Maj. Sonja Patterson...... read more read more
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Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) Program Provides No-Cost Healthcare Clinics in Nueces County, Texas
Nueces County, Texas - July 28, 2023
By: 1st Lt. Harrison Gold, United States Army Reserve
Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) has made a huge impact in Nueces County, Texas, by delivering no-cost healthcare services to its residents. Over the course of a transformative ten-day mission, which commenced on July 18, 2023, and concluded on July 27, 2023, the IRT program left an enduring mark on the region, bolstering both individual and collective well-being.
The IRT program, a joint military initiative orchestrated by the Office of the Secretary of Defense, is designed to foster military readiness while simultaneously addressing pressing healthcare and infrastructure needs of American communities. By leveraging the skills and expertise of military medical personnel, support staff, and local volunteers, the program embodies a synergistic, partnered approach to healthcare and infrastructure support. All, to improve the overall health and status of the community.
As Army Reserve soldiers from the 176th Medical Brigade from Seagoville, Texas, set up their array of clinics throughout Nueces County, the anticipation and excitement in the community, especially of community leaders, were palpable. Residents eagerly awaited the opportunity to receive much-needed medical, dental, optometry, veterinary care, mental health services, and specialized women's health services - all offered at no cost to the individuals. Long lines queued outside the clinics before opening hours every day.
Medical services under the IRT program encompassed a vast range of healthcare needs. Local individuals, many of whom had faced barriers to accessing healthcare in the past, seized the opportunity to receive vital health screenings, wellness consultations, and treatment for a variety of medical conditions. Such services included medical care, dental services including extractions and fillings, mental health care, women’s health screenings, comprehensive optometry care including issuing glasses free of charge to patients, and veterinary services for dogs and cats.
Joining the Army medical clinicians and allied health personnel were personnel from the Georgia Air National Guard to provide staffing support., and United States Marine Corps Reservists from the Third Civil Affairs Group and Sixth Communications Battalion were present to provide community surveys and mission support, respectively. The civil affairs Marines assisted Nueces County in identifying needs in Colonias, the colloquial term for communities with some kind of infrastructure delinquency.
While all services were impactful, some of the most humbling stories originate from the mission’s vision clinic at Mission of Mercy, a local charity care clinic. Individuals were able to access comprehensive eye examinations at no cost, receiving much-needed prescriptions for corrective eyeglasses. But the service didn’t stop there; glasses were made from scratch by Army technicians again with no cost to the patient. The transformation brought about by this simple intervention went beyond better eyesight; it opened doors to greater opportunities and improved quality of life for the recipients.
In summation, over ten days, 2,103 patients were seen, providing a direct cost savings to the patients of an estimated total of $953,000. The Marines performed property visits 1,037 times, performing comprehensive needs surveys of rural communities to help the County identify needs for infrastructure improvements, grant requests, and so on, saving Nueces County $2,300,000.
Throughout the program's stay in Nueces County, the resounding theme was one of unity and cooperation. Local volunteers and community partners, in collaboration with military personnel, worked tirelessly to ensure the smooth operation of the clinics and facilitate a seamless experience for residents seeking healthcare services. The sense of camaraderie among all involved demonstrated that when communities and institutions come together, they have the power to effect transformative change and create lasting positive impacts.
As the final day of the IRT program in Nueces County drew to a close, the echoes of appreciation and gratitude reverberated throughout the region. The IRT program had achieved its mission, leaving behind a legacy of compassionate care, strengthened community bonds, and improved public health.
| Date Taken: | 07.28.2023 |
| Date Posted: | 08.03.2023 11:53 |
| Story ID: | 450292 |
| Location: | CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 111 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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