MEDIA RELEASE

Hawaii Air National Guard and state Department of Health have established a program called Hawaii Medical Innovative Readiness Training (HIMIRT), which provides communities access to general health/sports physicals, vision and dental screenings, among other services. The program is tailored to assist medically underserved areas and all services are free to the public.

The HIMIRT program is named E MALAMA KAKOU, or “to care for all.” The project has the flexibility to change and adapt to the various communities’ needs.

In its third year of operation, HIMIRT has expanded beyond Oahu and will be on the Big Island for the first time.

The Ohio Air National Guard’s 178th Medical Group visits from June 7-17 to provide free school and sports physicals and various health screenings and exams. There are designated sites during the week where people can obtain these free health screenings.

The HIMIRT’s purpose is to provide mission essential training for military medical units and personnel, while building upon the long-standing tradition of the Armed Forces of the United States, acting as good neighbors at the local level.

In 2008 and 2009, HIMIRT has partnered with communities, health centers, social service agencies and schools across Oahu. In general, each medical unit brings 30-40 people, including MDs, RNs, Dentists, medical assistants, and others.

The West Hawaii Community Health Center (WHCHC), the Office for Social Ministry (OSM), and DOH have partnered with HIMIRT to help secure locations in the west side of the island to provide these free services and to get the word out to the public.

There is a similar effort in the east side of the Big Island where another HIMIRT/Air National Guard Team from Pennsylvania will provide free health services in partnership with Bay Clinic, DOH, and OSM.

Families and individuals will be able to obtain school physicals, sports physicals, or address specific health issues at any of the specific locations and designated times outlined below.