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GuardCare comes to Athens this weekend to offer free healthcare services
By: Natalie LaFleur
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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — The Ohio National Guard and the Ohio Department of Health team up every year to offer free healthcare services to Ohio residents. This year, they’re coming to Athens County.
GuardCare began in 1995 after Congress authorized the use of National Guard personnel in medically underserved communities through its Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) program. Its purpose is to provide experience and training for Ohio National Guard medical personnel while providing free healthcare services.
The event will begin Friday at 6 p.m. for Ohio residents with developmental disabilities and mobility challenges. All residents are welcome beginning Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and continuing Sunday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The site is completely accessible for everyone, as ramps and wheelchairs will be provided for patients if necessary.
There are no insurance or income requirements, only that you must be a resident of Ohio or a student living in Ohio. All services are free and run on a first-come-first-served basis. There are no appointments, so waiting times for services are possible. Water and snacks will be provided for those experiencing longer waiting times.
If transportation is a hurdle, bus services will be offered at local library branches. Buses will run throughout the weekend, transporting people to and from GuardCare for free.
Medical screenings can potentially be lifesaving. Crawford County hosted GuardCare last year, and Health Commissioner Kate Siefert shared stories about patients who avoided potential life-threatening medical emergencies thanks to GuardCare.
“We had two different gentlemen that came through last year, and both of them were in the middle of a cardiac event,” said Siefert. “They had no clue they were in the middle of a cardiac event, and it was identified. And it turns out, they need to be transferred to the local hospital for further evaluation.”
Siefert also shared a story about a woman who discovered a cancerous growth during an evaluation at GuardCare.
“Plus, we had one woman come through for a mammogram and it was identified that she had a further evaluation,” said Siefert. “She was able to get connected for free services to do further evaluation and a biopsy done, and it was cancer, but she was able to get treatment.”
Along with services, free medical giveaways will be taking place as well. These include car seats, resource guides and more.
Jack Pepper, the Athens City-County Health Administrator, encourages Ohioans to give GuardCare a shot.
“So come and see us. That’s the message,” Pepper said. “You know, we’ve worked really hard to make this event happen, and it’s for the people of our community and those that can join us from around the state.”
The address for the event is Heritage Hall, 191 W. Union St. Athens, Ohio 45701.
You can visit the following links for more information:
https://www.ong.ohio.gov/community/guardcare/index.html#gsc.tab=0
https://kashfahaque.my.canva.site/guardcare