Fox Army Health Center preps for retirees' day

By Amy Guckeen Tolson, Staff writerSeptember 7, 2011

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(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- Less than a month away from Retiree Appreciation Day, the staff of Fox Army Health Center is hard at work planning a first class health fair for their retirees and their families.

Fox Army Health Center will hold a two-day health fair as part of Retiree Appreciation Day, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, Sept. 30 at the Officers and Civilians Club, and from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1 at the Sparkman Center. The event is open to all retired and active duty military personnel and their family members.

"I am really looking forward to Retiree Appreciation Day activities," Col. Elizabeth Johnson, commander of Fox Army Health Center, said. "The retirees continue to serve those of us still wearing the uniform as mentors, volunteers and members of the civilian work force. RAD is a great opportunity to reach out to them in regards to health promotion and wellness, as well as an opportunity to exchange information and ideas."

More than 20 vendors from across the Tennessee Valley, such as Huntsville Hospital, Crestwood Medical Center, the Allergy and Asthma Center and Alabama Psychological Services will join Fox in giving retirees an opportunity to learn more about their healthcare and the benefits available to them. Vision screenings, bone density tests and blood pressure screenings will be available, in addition to healthy snacks and other wellness information.

"It's a great opportunity for us to reach out to our retiree population and to offer blood pressure screenings, vision screenings and bone density tests," said Valerie Francis, a registered nurse at Fox. "Some of these individuals have limited opportunities to have these screenings performed. It also allows Fox Army Health Center and Redstone Arsenal to show their partnership with the Huntsville and Madison County community. The community values the retirees just like Redstone Arsenal does."

Both Fox's pharmacy and representatives from Tricare will be on hand to answer questions and concerns about the vital benefits they provide to the retiree community, including the pharmacy's hours, procedures and updated formularies. Tricare will present two briefings at the Friday health fair at the O' Club, in addition to being available to answer questions one-on-one with retirees.

"It's a great forum to get information out to the retiree community," said Lisa Knapp, manager of the Tricare Service Center. "We're constantly surprised how little information or understanding the retirees have about their benefits."

More information about Fox's participation in Retiree Appreciation Day will be available in the weeks to come. Stay tuned to the Redstone Rocket for further details.