Doctors Prepare for Free Health Clinic
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WEAKLEY COUNTY, Tenn.- More than 150 medical professionals from the military were sent to Martin for an innovative “Readiness Training Program” that will provide free medical care to West Tennesseans on Tuesday. “It doesn’t matter if people have insurance or not. They are welcome to come,” said Capt Janie Brier of the U.S. Navy. Troops from across the country are gearing up to provide a wide range of care including complete physical exams, mental exams, dental and eye exams to residents across West Tennessee. Organizers said the dental exams will include oral with cleanings and/or extractions, and vision care will include eye exams plus free glasses for all ages. “We have Dentists, Optometrists and Primary Care Physicians, so they will benefit from services their tax dollars are paying for,” said Lt. Commander Patrick Murray of the U.S. Navy. There is no eligibility requirements, and all health screenings are completely free and open to the public. The free health care is made possible through the Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) Program of the United States Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs. Ruby black, professor of nursing at the University of Tennessee at Martin and Chairman of the Board of Hope of Martin, applied for the IRT grant through the Hope of Martin Community Development Corporation. Military members said the primary purpose of the IRT mission is to conduct deployment, readiness and logistics training in an expeditionary, multi-service environment providing post disaster relief. “We are almost pretending this is a disaster relief and we are responding to a humanitarian crisis, and it even prepares military members for a wartime scenario,” said Murray. The free health screenings will be offered July 9th-17th at Martin Middle School, 700 Fowler Road in Martin, TN. The health screenings are open to the general public and available for all ages from 8:00 a.m -7:00 p.m. “I think the majority of people are helped with the free dental services because we can do cleanings, extractions and some limited filling,” said Brier. “It’s critical. If you don’t take care of yourself, it’s very difficult to take care of others.” For more information you may contact the Hope of Martin at 731-588-5057. For transportation needs call : 731-587-2900.
