The Ohio National Guard is on a special mission in Greene County this weekend, giving free health screenings at the Greene County Career Center.
Every year, the Ohio National Guard sponsors GuardCare in a different section of the state as a training exercise and community service.
“It’s a little bit of everything, which is why we love it and why we do it,” GuardCare Mission Officer in Charge Andew Pepin explained.
The Guard returned for the first time since the pandemic, collaborating with Greene County Public Health.
More than 200 Guard soldiers and volunteers will provide physical exams, dental cleanings, eye exams, lab tests, and other services on Saturday and Sunday. No appointments or insurance are required.
“Many people are uninsured or underinsured, and this allows them to receive care that they might have put off because the co-pays are too high or they simply do not have the coverage,” said Cheryl Wynn, director of planning, preparedness, and promotion at Greene County Public Health.
The event also prepares Guard troops for deployment during a crisis or emergency.
“We learn planning, activation, assigning roles, delegating, and being familiar with this mobile equipment,” Pepin told me.
Those who spoke out remarked that with everything so expensive nowadays, they’re pleased this service is available for free.
“Health care is so expensive, and so, you know, if you have high deductibles and things, it’s just, you know, it’s something that’s actually needed,” Bobbie Murray, a fairborn woman, said.
GuardCare will be open on Sunday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.