Mahalo for Your Service - Air National Guard
The Department of Health and Hawai`i Air National Guard launched the state's Medical Innovative Readiness Training program, which provides training for National Guard personnel while addressing local community health needs.
MSgt. Kane Wagner, a Laboratory Technician with the 179th MDG from the Ohio Air National Guard, conducts a vision screening with a Makaha Elementary student.
"Unfortunately, some of the homeless folks don't know or can't afford to go to a doctor to find out what's wrong," Brigadier General Gary Ishikawa, deputy state adjutant general, said in an interview with the Honolulu Star-Bulletin. "So, these screenings hopefully will improve the health of the community."
The Wai`anae Coast is the first community to be served by HI-MIRT. Members of the Ohio Air National Guard 179th Medical Group (MDG) hosted by the 154th MDG, Hawai`i Air National Guard are conducting a 10-day exercise serving students and the public at various schools in the community and at the Wai`anae Coast Comprehensive Health Center (WCCHC). Guard members will also assist WCCHC staff in outreach to homeless individuals and families. Services offered include vision screening, physicals and CPR and First Aid classes.
The scope of E Malama Kakou extends for the next five years, with the 154th MDG, Hawai`i Air National Guard, serving as host unit to other National Guard and Reserve Component Medical Groups/Companies to provide clinical support in underserved areas on all islands. The Medical Groups will provide free preventative health assessments, wellness referral to outpatient clinics and community disaster preparedness awareness training.
The project will be expanded to other communities and adapted to address specific community needs.
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"Military med mission goes abroad to Makaha," Honolulu Advertiser, April 3, 2008
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"Health program has many perks," Honolulu Star-Bulletin, April 3, 2008
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