Ohio National Guard News

Ohio National Guard gives back to residents
in two Central Ohio counties

Story by Stephanie Beougher, Ohio National Guard Public Affairs
Photos by Staff Sgt. Michael Carden, Ohio National Guard Public Affairs &
Airman 1st Class Christi Richter, 179th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
Video by Airman Marc Wilson, 179th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

Ohio National Guard Airmen and Soldiers supported GuardCare this summer in Madison and Union counties. An event designed to provide no-cost health care to the host community, GuardCare also gives military members an opportunity to serve and train in their communities. Video by Airman Marc Wilson, 179th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

Capt. Nicole Nicol, a member of the 179th Airlift Wing, speaks with a GuardCare participant in London, Ohio. (Carden)

Ohio Air National Guard Lt. Col. Terry Walker gives a patient an eye exam during GuardCare in London. (Richter)

Capt. Nicole Nicol, a member of the 179th Airlift Wing, checks a patient into GuardCare in London, Ohio. (Richter)

Ohio Air National Guard Lt. Col. Terry Walker gives a patient an eye exam during GuardCare in London, Ohio. (Carden)

Pvt. Savannah Compton, a health care specialist with the 684th Medical Company (Area Support), administers a vision test to a woman during GuardCare in Marysville, Ohio. (Carden)

Maj. Amber Heller, a dentist with the Ohio Army National Guard Medical Detachment, inspects a girl’s teeth during GuardCare in London, Ohio. (Carden)

Capt. Eileen Farahay, a dentist with the 285th Medical Company (Area Support), examines a girl’s teeth girl during GuardCare in Marysville, Ohio. (Carden)

Ohio Air National Guard Capt. Sarah Woodson gives a patient an immunization at GuardCare in London, Ohio. (Richter)

Capt. James Daugherty, a case manager with the Ohio Army National Guard Medical Detachment, administers an immunization vaccine to a boy during GuardCare in London, Ohio. (Carden)

Spc. Jacob Parker, a health care specialist with the 684th Medical Company (Area Support), administers a vision test to a girl during GuardCare in Marysville, Ohio. (Carden)

An Airman with the 179th Airlift Wing helps a GuardCare participant find the services she needs in London, Ohio. (Carden)

COLUMBUS, Ohio (08/05/17) — Alexis Curry couldn’t wait to jump into the dentist’s chair.
“She hopped into the chair right before her sister,” said her mom, Kristin Curry. “She’s been talking about this since yesterday, telling everybody she is going to the dentist.”

The fact that the dentist was wearing a military uniform and the chair was sitting in the middle of a high school classroom didn’t seem to faze the 9-year-old from West Jefferson, Ohio.

Maj. James Bennett, a member of the Ohio Army National Guard Medical Detachment and a dentist from West Lake, Ohio, was one of the Soldiers and Airmen who helped patients like Alexis during GuardCare. The annual event allows medically underserved communities to receive free health screening services.

Through the events at London High School in Madison County on Aug. 5, and the Union County Health Department in Marysville on Aug. 12-13, Ohio National Guard medical personnel partnered with local health care providers to deliver free services to more than 530 people.

“It’s always rewarding to help people, but having the ability to help people who don’t always have access to care is something you can take pride in. It’s a way for us as members of the Ohio National Guard to give back to citizens of Ohio and thank them for supporting us,” Bennett said.

In addition to dental exams, residents of all ages were also able to get free immunizations, sports physicals, women’s health services, and hearing and vision testing.

“Our Soldiers and Airmen have a calling to serve others. GuardCare provides Ohio National Guard medical personnel an opportunity to give back to the community while leveraging training resources,” said Maj. Gen. Mark E. Bartman, Ohio adjutant general. “We’re pleased to have been able to partner with Madison and Union county health officials in support of our community mission.”

This year marked the 22nd year for GuardCare in Ohio, which has provided free health care services to more than 13,000 Ohioans overall.

“Access to care, whether it’s something as simple as transportation to their doctor or more complex as not being able to find a doctor who will take their insurance, is a critical issue in Madison County. Because of that, GuardCare is still very relevant,” Madison County Health Commissioner Chris Cook said.

Cook’s counterpart in Union County, Jason Orcena, oversaw a team of health department employees and volunteers who worked with the Ohio National Guard to make sure the two-day GuardCare event in Marysville went smoothly.

“The experience of planning for and executing the GuardCare event has been wonderful for both our staff and our partners,” Orcena said. “It really has given us an opportunity to build new relationships with both our state partners, the Ohio Department of Health and Ohio National Guard, as well as our local partners.”

Orcena said they were able to conduct an emergency operation exercise during GuardCare, allowing them to test their response for a large-scale disaster where immunizations were necessary.

The Ohio Department of Health makes recommendations for GuardCare communities based on health data, health professional shortage areas, geographic location when compared to where prior GuardCare events have been held, and the local health department’s service capacity.

“GuardCare is a great event that provides free health services and access to health care to those who might not have it otherwise,” said Ohio Department of Health Director Lance Himes. “With the strong participation of local health departments and community service providers, we are able to help protect the health of all Ohioans.”

Whether providing a free dentist chair to jump in or providing security for state and nation, the Ohio National Guard is always ready to give back to the local communities that give so much unwavering support in return.