More than 900 services have been performed over the past three days

KAPA‘A — Michael Dahilig, filling in for Mayor Derek Kawakami on the weekly video update Thursday said Tropic Care Kaua‘i continues through June 20 at Kapa‘a Middle School, Kaua‘i Community College Office of Continuing Education and Training building, ‘Ele‘ele School and the mobile clinic at the Waimea Easter Seals facility.

“Clinics are open with services at no cost, including physical exams for kids in sports or entering the seventh grade, eye exams, and dental services,” Dahilig said. “Medical services can include whatever fits your needs, including a general check-up, reviewing your medications, seeing a physical therapist, or consulting about a specific concern. Behavioral health specialists are available to talk about concerns as well.”

Tropic Care Kaua‘i experienced DV Day Thursday at the Kaua‘i Community College, and the Kapa‘a Middle School clinics. According to Mission Public Affairs Officer Capt. Clay Thompson, DV Day allows military leaders, government dignitaries, and others an opportunity to view firsthand what military personnel participating in the Department of Defense, Innovative Readiness Training program go through during the two-week IRT Mission.

Major Joanna Nelms, the Officer in Charge at the Kapa‘a MS clinic, said the crew, over the past three days, has gone through about 300 patient encounters, performed more than 900 services, and accomplished more than 1,500 hours of training.

“This is exciting,” Nelms said.

Nelms coordinated with HMCS Tanda Blair to have Flag Letter of Commendation presented to corps personnel who demonstrated efforts that led to the Kapa‘a Middle School facility being able to process the volume of people and services over the past three days, ending Wednesday afternoon.

Rear Admiral Lower Half Mark Moritz, part of the DV delegation, made the presentations to HM2 Taliaferro, HM2 Jett, and HM2 Vetan before the DV group that included Kaua‘i District Health Office Director Dr. Janet Berreman, and Mission Commander Col. Scott Olech among others.

Nathan Aiwohi, representing Community Partner Department of Education, said having Tropic Care Kaua‘i establish its operations at the school has helped the school become more resilient to other situations, including natural disasters where it serves as a shelter, and lockdown situations.

“We’re one of the bigger volume clinics,” Aiwohi said. “These experiences with Tropic Care Kaua‘i has helped us harden for hurricanes, better prepare for tsunami evacuations, and even lockdowns.”

Tropic Care Kaua‘i clinics will be open today and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Clinics will close at noon Sunday and Monday. The Mobile Clinic in Waimea will not be open on Sunday.

“The last couple of years have been hard on our community,” Dahilig said in his video update. “Tropic Care is an opportunity to take care of your personal health as part of our road to recovery.”

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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
Source: The Garden Island