140th Wing Medical Group set to arrive in Hawaii to provide care to the medically under served

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. John R. Nimmo, Sr.
  • 140th Wing Public Affairs
3/13/2010 --  DENVER, Colo. - A team from The Colorado Air National Guard's 140th Medical Group departed from Buckley Air Force Base, Colorado and is scheduled to arrive in Honolulu, March 13, 2010 aboard a C-17 Globemaster aircraft.

The team consisting of more than 60 Airmen including physicians, nurses, medical technicians and support personnel will provide services to individuals and families in homeless and transitional shelters within medically under served and socio-economically disadvantaged communities on the island of Oahu.

The medical unit will conduct unit training as part of Hawaii's Medical Innovative Readiness Training (HIMIRT) domestic civil military training program known as E Malama Kakou (translated from Hawaiian as "to care for all"). E Malama Kakou is part of the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs Innovative Readiness Training Program.

The medical teams will work out of various locations including fixed medical centers, various community centers and mobile health clinics on the beaches and is equipped and staffed to provide surgical, critical care, primary care, pediatric, optical, dental, pharmaceutical, public health and spiritual services as needed.

Community center coordinators and volunteers who are familiar with those in need will assist the medical teams. For those unable to travel, home visits will be made.