HAYNEVILLE, Ala., July 31, 2009 - Medical professionals from the Army Reserve's 4005th U.S. Army Hospital examined over 800 residents from this southern Alabama community, helping many in this depressed region get the medical attention, and education, they need.
Headquartered in Houston, Texas, the 4005th was here for their two-week annual training, organized as part of the Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) program.
The IRT program allows communities throughout the United States to request assistance from the government and the military. When approved, Army Reserve units deploy to the geographic region requesting support. Reserve Soldiers help the community with whatever project or service their expertise is needed. The program aids communities, and fellow Americans, while providing real-world training to Reserve Soldiers.
For the 4005th, their mission was to provide medical care to the residents, many of whom are affected by the country's current economic recession.
They arrived in this Bible-belt town, after the town mayor, Helenor T. Bell, requested economic assistance through the federal government and the Delta Region.
The Reserve Soldiers set up operations at the town hall, providing free medical screenings, education and pharmacy needs to the community. The unit lived, ate, worked - and in the case of a softball game, played with the community.
The unit had doctors, nurses, medics and lab technicians on site, and went out into the community to visit those who cannot get to the town hall. They advertised their services on community bulletin boards and by attending church services when they first arrived.
According to Mayor Bell, the response from the community was overwhelming.
"Every time I came into my office (at the town hall), residents were thanking me for getting the Army's services," she said. "They are overjoyed by the amount of time and care the Soldiers were giving them and asked me if they can come back next year."
Unit medic, Spc. Megan McKinney, was thrilled with the training she received during this program as well.
"It was great hands on training to improve our skills," she said. "We went out into the community, and learned to deal with many issues, many people and many personalities."
McKinney believed two individuals owe their life to this program.
"Two people we evaluated had dangerously high blood pressure," she said. "Had they not come to our clinic, they could have had a stroke in the near future."
One area resident traveled seven miles into town after hearing of the clinic from a neighbor during an evening chat.
"You can never get enough check-ups to find out what's wrong with you," said Sheskie Smith. "I've had two heart attacks and two strokes. Thank God I am still here. I was glad to see the Soldiers working here. They treated me well and took the time to talk with me" he added.
According to Capt. Catherine Garza, nurse with the 4005th, talking was one of the unit's main missions.
"We were trying to educate the residents' in areas specific to their needs," she said. "If they have high blood pressure, we sat them down and talked to them about how to improve it through simple things, like minor diet adjustments," she added.
According to unit records, 98 percent of the patients examined were instructed on some type of life skills to improve their health. Additional unit records show that each patient was seen on average for two hours.
"We took the time needed to get each patient the care and instruction they needed," said Garz. "We then sent training material home with them to help reinforce what they need to do. Many came back with follow-up questions on their education," she added.
During the IRT, over 400 prescriptions were issued, more than 500 labs were run on patients and almost 300 EKGs were completed - all while patients waited and talked with their doctor.
The unit partnered with local pharmacies to provide on-going prescription care to residents they examined.
According to the unit's officer-in-charge, Capt. Jerry Webb, on-going care is a challenge for area residents.
"There is a need for continuation of care for these residents," he said. "Many of the residents we examined do not have a medical file, they do not see the same healthcare professional each visit to the local clinics. We started a medical record for everyone we examined and sent it with them. That way they have a starting point with our findings," he added.
The 4005th used a state-of-art medical trailer, provided to the military through a contract. It came complete with three exam rooms, a lab and portable EKG equipment, enabling the unit to provide the services they did.
As the 4005th wrapped up its IRT program on July 31, it left feeling fulfilled and challenged. According to Webb, the unit helped many in need, but he felt they could do even more on future missions.
"This mission was just like a deployment," he said. "Each one has its specific challenges based on culture and region. The more research we, or civil affairs, are able to do prior to the mission, the better we can customize the care for area's residents. I look forward to putting these 'lessons-learned' to the test in Afghanistan this fall," he added.
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