February 15, 2009
Dogs of the Delta will also benefit from the Arctic Care exercise.
Arctic Care military teams bring health services to YK Delta
By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Matt Grills, Operation Arctic Care Public Affairs
Medical and dental personnel from the U.S. military will begin arriving in Western Alaska on March 3 for Operation Arctic Care, a medical outreach mission that brings health care and veterinary services to the state's most remote villages.
During this year's deployment, March 6 through 18, nearly 200 members of the Navy, Marine Corps, Army, Air Force, National Guard and reserve components will test their ability to work as a joint team while providing health care and health education to 11 communities that have limited access to both.
"Arctic Care '09 will be exciting, challenging and rewarding for all those participating," said Navy Capt. Patty Reisdorfer, lead planner. "Members are anxiously waiting to bring their medical expertise to this exercise. Hopefully, Mother Nature will cooperate with the weather, and air transportation with the Alaska Army National Guard Black Hawks will be a success."
Operation Arctic Care 2009 will happen in cooperation with and under the supervision of YKHC. Teams comprised of medical, dental, optometry, nursing and veterinary personnel will be deployed to the YK Delta villages of Alakanuk, Atmauthluak, Chevak, Hooper Bay, Kalskag, Kwethluk, Kwigillingok, Mountain Village, Newtok, Quinhagak and Toksook Bay. Additional services will include mental health, audiology, and physical therapy support.
Civilian medical services within Bethel will also include pediatric oral surgery, gynecology, and colonoscopy teams operating at the YKHC hospital.
By the military providing on-site care, the need is reduced for individuals to travel to Bethel for treatment. Travel is extremely limited for residents living in communities that fall below the poverty level. At the same time, the military strengthens its medical readiness and logistics capability by traveling to these villages-in this case, planning and executing localized deployments by Black Hawk helicopters.
While in Bethel, military personnel who deploy will be housed at the Alaska National Guard Armory.
Operation Arctic Care rotates to different areas of rural Alaska each year. Last year's mission was performed in Kodiak and six of the island borough's villages. Over a period of 10 days, military health-care providers treated 127 medical patients and 188 dental patients, made 232 pairs of glasses on site, certified 42 students in CPR and vaccinated 422 animals
Operation Arctic Care is an annual training event sponsored by the Innovative Readiness Training program under the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs.
Veterinary Teams join Arctic Care
Veterinarian Teams working with Operation Arctic Care next month will provide rabies, parvo, and distemper vaccinations, de-worming medication, spay and neuter operations, and school courses on animal husbandry and the importance of hand washing-all free of charge.
Operation Arctic Care is a joint medical readiness and logistics training exercise conducted by the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense of Reserve Affairs Innovative Readiness Training Program. This joint exercise includes personnel from the Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation, The United States Public Health Service, Active and Reservists from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines.
Why is Veterinary Care a part of Operation Arctic Care?
Dog bites are a leading cause of injury in the YK Delta. Every year dog bites and mauling cause over a hundred injuries, dozens of hospitalizations, and even deaths. Sadly, children are usually the victims of these attacks.
"We firmly believe these injuries and deaths are preventable," said Field Environmental Health Officer Brek Steele of YKHC's Office of Environmental Health. "By giving pets proper care, educating children in animal husbandry, and helping the City or Tribe pass and enforce animal care standards, we hope to reduce the number of dog related injuries and deaths in our region."
Steele said YKHC's Office of Environmental Health is very excited about Operation Arctic Care and appreciates your support to its visiting members.
Every attempt will be made to provide these services to your village-weather, time, and transportation permitting. Please see the Operation Arctic Care map to determine if there is a participating village near you if yours is not already highlighted on the map. Your village clinic will have information about where and how you can connect with the Arctic Care Veterinarian Team.
If you have any question regarding the Veterinary portion of Operation Arctic Care, please call the Office of Environmental Health at 1-800-478-6599.
