Free medical, dental, optical and veterinary care will be available in Henderson in June through a program that helps to prepare the military while also providing healthcare to underserved communities.
According to a news release last week, the Delta Regional Authority has partnered with the U.S. Department of Defense to bring to Henderson the Innovative Readiness Training medical mission. This year’s medical mission will occur from June 15-25 at South Middle School, said the release.
During the mission’s 10 days, military personnel will offer basic medical, dental, optical and veterinary services to the public at no cost, said the release.
There are no income or residency requirements to receive treatment, providers will treat patients ages three and older and patients will be treated on a first-come, first-serve basis, said the release.
The Green River Area Development District has partnered with DRA and the city of Henderson to bring the program here, said Judge Steve Henry, chairman of the GRADD Board of Directors.
“This program presents a unique opportunity to address health care gaps in our communities while simultaneously providing hands-on deployment readiness training to our military,” Henry said.
The DRA works to coordinate federal and state collaboration for economic development in the lower Mississippi River and Alabama Black Belt regions, according to the DRA’s website. States included in the DRA are Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Tennessee and Kentucky.
“DRA is proud of our ongoing partnership with the Department of Defense, as we work together to connect those living within our Delta communities to affordable health care,” said Dr. Corey Wiggins, DRA federal co-chairman. “The impact IRT missions bring to communities in need of accessible treatment can be life changing for residents who have otherwise not had the means to seek care.”
Many services will be provided during the IRT mission to include vision and wellness exams, issuance of single lens glasses, dental exams and extractions, as well as veterinary wellness, said the release.
“There are so many things to love about this exercise,” said Mayor Brad Staton. “The IRT folks will receive some invaluable training, our community will receive access to no-cost dental, vision, health and animal care. What a great opportunity for our city.”
For more information about Innovative Readiness Training, visit IRT.defense.gov.