Protect your health

NORWALK — Those in need of free health care are invited to attend an event in Bucyrus next weekend. Huron County Public Health encouraged county residents to consider attending The United States Army National Guard's annual "GuardCare" event, which offers no-cost health services to Ohio residents. The event will take place at the Trillium Event Center, located at 1630 E. Southern Avenue in Bucyrus, Crawford County, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 9, and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 10. "The upcoming GuardCare event in Bucyrus is a rare opportunity for residents, regardless of income or insurance status, to get healthcare, mental health, dental, and vision services, as well as preventative health screenings and other important resources, at no cost," Huron County Public Health public information officer Cyleen Sharpe said. "Huron County Public Health encourages Huron County residents to take a proactive step to improve their health by attending this event." Services are provided by certified doctors, dentists, nurses and other qualified health care personnel who serve in the Guard one weekend a month and two weeks per year. Insurance is not required and there is no income requirement for treatment. Free services offered include: • No-cost health services • Dental exams, treatments and extractions • Vision exams and issue prescriptions • Medical screenings, physicals, sports physicals • EKGs • Mammograms • Immunizations • Blood lead level screenings • Behavioral health • STI testing • Blood labs including: cholesterol, glucose, BUN, complete blood count (CBC), thyroid (TSH), prostate (PSA), hemoglobin A1C, vitamin D and more In addition, a resource fair on site will help people get access to local healthcare providers and have information on addiction care, the state's Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities, the Ohio Women, Infants, and Children program, Job & Family Services, Medicaid, the Dolly Parton Imagination Library of Ohio and much more. The Ohio Adjutant General's Department and the Ohio Department of Health have created a unique partnership to allow Ohio National Guard medical personnel to provide free health services in Ohio communities while providing training and professional development opportunities for members of the National Guard. The Ohio National Guard initiated the GuardCare program in 1995 after Congress authorized the use of National Guard personnel in medically underserved communities through its Innovative Readiness Training program, according to a news release. In addition to receiving free medical care, those taking advantage of the program are also assisting National Guard members with an opportunity to gain valuable training that will prove valuable in the event of a troop deployment. "GuardCare allows the Ohio National Guard to provide free healthcare to Bucyrus and the surrounding communities while providing our members with needed medical training," said Brig. Gen. Matthew Woodruff, Ohio adjutant general. "This event helps to ensure that we continue to meet our mission to be Always Ready, Always There." Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff praised the initiative. "I attended this event last year, and it was really extraordinary to see how many services were provided," he said. "GuardCare is a wonderful program that brings a wide variety of critical health services to Ohioans who may not otherwise receive them, and we are proud to be a partner in such an important effort." For more information about GuardCare weekend, visit the Ohio National Guard website or call Crawford County Public Health at 419-562-5871.