READY, SET, ACTION: MACH Public Health Protects The Force During National Public Health Week
Photo By Jessie Hudson |
U.S. Army Soldiers and staff at Martin Army Community Hospital perform public health......read moreread more
Photo By Jessie Hudson | U.S. Army Soldiers and staff at Martin Army Community Hospital perform public health assessments and preventive services during National Public Health Week, April 6–12, 2026, at Fort Benning, Georgia. These efforts support force health protection by identifying risks early and maintaining medical readiness across the installation. see less
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READY, SET, ACTION: MACH Public Health Protects The Force During National Public Health Week
A pool temperature reads within range. A vaccine record is up to date. A refrigerator holding medical supplies stays within a narrow margin.
Most people never see it.
But it all matters.
During National Public Health Week, April 6–12, Martin Army Community Hospital (MACH) is highlighting the work that happens behind the scenes to protect Soldiers, families and the broader Fort Benning community. This year’s theme, Ready, Set, Action, reflects a mission already in motion.
Public health is not a single program or appointment. It is a system of checks, safeguards and preventive actions that reduce risk before it becomes a problem.
At MACH, that system touches nearly every aspect of daily life on the installation. Public Health teams monitor immunizations to ensure Soldiers meet medical readiness requirements. They track vaccination status, identify gaps and close them before they impact deployment timelines.
“Public health is force protection,” said Lt. Col. Hewitt, chief nurse of Public Health at Martin Army Community Hospital. “When we prevent illness and reduce risk, we keep our Soldiers ready and our community strong.”
Beyond immunizations, the team conducts routine inspections and monitoring that often go unnoticed but are critical to health and safety.
They check water temperatures and safety standards in the therapeutic pool used for Physical Therapy.
They monitor food temperatures and refrigeration systems in dining facilities to prevent foodborne illness.
They conduct hearing conservation testing to identify early signs of hearing loss.
They perform N95 respirator fit testing to ensure staff are properly protected.
Each action is small on its own. Together, they form a protective layer around the force.
“Many of the things we do happen behind the scenes,” Hewitt said. “But they directly impact readiness. If we catch issues early, we prevent larger problems that can affect missions, patient care and daily operations.”
The reach of Public Health extends beyond Soldiers.
Family members, retirees and civilian employees are all part of the same health environment.
When risks are reduced across the community, the entire installation benefits.
A properly stored vaccine.
A safe meal.
A controlled environment.
Each contributes to a healthier population and a more resilient force.
That is where awareness becomes action.
During National Public Health Week, MACH Public Health encourages the community to stay engaged in their own health and safety.
Get vaccinated.
Stay informed.
Report concerns early.
Readiness is not built in a single moment. It is built through consistent, deliberate actions that protect the force every day.
At Martin Army Community Hospital, public health is always in motion.
