Month-long IRT a hit
Month-long IRT a hit
Over 6,500 patients served
news@theeveningtimes.com
By all accounts, the Greyhound Medical Clinic in West Memphis was a huge success. The medical mission recorded 6,517 patients served during the month-long Innovative Readiness Training (IRT).
The U.S. Military and the Delta Regional Authority (DRA) pulled together to provide the opportunity to area residents. Patients lined up at Lehr Arena at the Academies of West Memphis ranging from all around Crittenden County and the Mid-South region.
At least one family trekked from northwest Alabama for medical services.
In the last seven years, 65,000 Delta residents have benefited from the clinics in the region. But this was the first monthlong mission between the two government partners.
DRA Federal Co-Chairman Chris Masingill provided the purpose of the effort.
“This medical mission achieved two extremely important goals of helping Delta residents receive quality health care services and education as well as providing meaningful field training for our men and women in uniform.”
The program provided service members unique, real world training, while providing no-cost Healthcare services to undeserved communities in the Delta.
IRT Project Manager, Major Nathan DeVoe, 3rd Medical Command recapped the experience.
“This provided real-world training opportunities for our service members to utilize the skill sets within their military occupational specialties,” said DeVoe.
“Our service members are grateful for the opportunity to Serve West Memphis, helping to build stronger communities and connecting Americans tot he U. S. Military while building mission-ready forces.”
Four hundred uniformed servicemen and servicewomen delivered Delta residents $1.5 million dollars worth of medical services. Opticians were the busiest doing eye exams and fabricating 2,492 pairs of glasses. 1,915 teeth were pulled. 1,925 received general medical assessment. Behavioral specialists worked with 173 during mental health consultations.
By John Rech
Share