After five and a half years without a medical center, the residents of Ellwood City, Pennsylvania, are about to experience temporary relief in the form of a 10-day, no-cost healthcare clinic.
Sponsored by the Department of Defense’s Innovative Readiness Training program, Operation Healthy Ellwood has brought over 160 service members from across the United States to an industrial town 30 minutes northwest of Pittsburgh to provide essential medical, dental and vision services to the community at no cost to patients.
“I’m hopeful we’ll have a great turnout,” said Kevin Swogger, Ellwood City borough manager, an Ellwood City native and U.S. Air Force veteran who applied for the program on behalf of the municipality in...
Service members complete clinic operations and classroom training during Operation Healthy Ellwood, an Innovative Readiness Training mission in Ellwood City, Pennsylvania, July 29, 2025. The Department of Defense's Innovative Readiness Training program is designed to provide mutual benefit for service members and underserved American communities alike. (U.S. Air Force video by Senior Airman Alexis Morris)
U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Sara Kolinski, 104th Medical Group provider, briefs U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer Dale Pirkle, 4th Medical Battalion medical technician, on suture techniques while he performs stitches on a pig leg during Operation Healthy Ellwood, Ellwood City, Pennsylvania, July 28, 2025. In addition to providing the community with essential care, Operation Healthy Ellwood participants took part of many hands-on training courses and demonstrations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alexis Morris)
