LEECH LAKE INDIAN RESERVATION, Minn. -- Army Reserve Medical Command leadership joined tribal council members from Leech Lake Indian Reservation on July 18, for a tour of the 7218th Medical Support Unit's medical mission site where the Soldiers from Louisville, Kentucky, showcased their medical skills while treating residents at the Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig School in Bena, Minnesota.
Brig. Gen. Joseph Marsiglia, deputy commanding general for ARMEDCOM, joined U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corp Lt. John Naegeli, a pharmacist with the Indian Health Service; Maj. Omar Nava, the officer-in-charge for the Cass Lake Indian Health Service Innovative Readiness Training operation; and reservation council members, Chairman Faron Jackson Sr., Secretary-Treasurer Archie LaRose, District 1 representative LeRoy Fairbanks III, Laurel Jackson and Robert Budreau on a tour.
Department of Defense IRT missions like the one on Leech Lake Indian Reservation provides local residents with the opportunity to receive world-class medical care, but the program is designed to do even more.
"In the Army Reserve, it's important to continue to build on our readiness and these types of missions truly give us the ability to build that readiness while enhancing our community relationships," said Marsiglia.
The distinguished visitors toured all the various service areas set-up throughout the school, including areas for physicals, nutrition counseling, dental care, optical care and behavioral health.
"We're extremely appreciative of the services they've provided for our members," said Jackson, the Chairmen of the Council for the Leech Lake Indian Reservation.
Overall, the Cass Lake IHS IRT mission has helped nearly 400 patients and provided an estimated 2,500 different medical services to the local community.
Not only does this mission align with the DoD's objectives, it also supports IHS objectives, providing a comprehensive health services delivery system for American Indians and Alaska Natives to have the opportunity for maximum tribal involvement in developing and managing programs to meet health needs.
The Cass Lake IHS IRT mission is the final IRT mission for ARMEDCOM in fiscal year 2018. "There have been over 4,000 people served and over 7,000 services provided throughout America's communities this year," emphasized Marsiglia, highlighting the positive impact ARMEDCOM has made this year while ensuring their units were trained and ready for future 'Fight Fast' missions that might require their much-needed medical skills.
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