The U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Military’s reserve forces, in partnership with the Kentucky Department for Local Government, present Operation Coal Country Medical IRT.
Medical screenings, non-emergency medical treatments, sports physicals, dental exams, cleanings, fillings and extractions, optical exams, and single-prescription eyeglasses will be offered.
In Knox County, services will be performed at First Baptist Church in Barbourville August 3 through 10. Hours will be Monday through Saturday 8 am until 4 pm and noon until 4 pm on Sunday.
Patients will be accepted on a first-come, first-served walk-in basis. The clinics are open to anyone, ages two through adult, regardless of place of residence. No insurance is required, and an ID is not necessary to receive care.
Called “Operation Coal Country,” this Innovative Readiness Training program, or IRT, gives military health professionals an opportunity to provide medical, dental and optical care in a field environment, much as they would when responding to a natural disaster or military operation, while offering services to citizens who are uninsured or underinsured.
“We consistently hear stories from our service members on how we’ve changed someone’s life during these IRTs, while at the same time providing vital training to our own members,” said Captain Jonathan A. Polos, U.S. Air Force, who is the Mission Commander.
A No Cost Hepatitis A Vaccination Clinic will be provided by the Kentucky Department for Public Health on Saturday, August 3 and Saturday, August 10 from 10 am until 3 pm also at First Baptist Church of Barbourville. In addition to the free Hepatitis A vaccine, the DLG Resource Center will offer information on veterans benefits, wellness, dental care, nutrition, and more.