Operation Lone Star Returns to Laredo
Written by admin, Jul 24, 2013, Comments Off
Courtesy Xochitl Mora,
Laredo, TX—This is the seventh (7th) year Operation Lone Star (OLS) provides free medical services to people in South Texas. OLS is one of the largest humanitarian efforts that also facilitates an emergency response exercise between state and local health officials and the Texas Joint Military Forces. It is an opportunity to provide mass disaster recovery and mass medical and preventive services serving thousands of underserved along the Texas/Mexico Border.
The cooperative effort specifically is between the Department of State Health Services (DSHS), other Health and Human Services agencies, Texas Joint Military Forces, City of Laredo Health Department (CLHD), Doctors Hospital of Laredo, Specialty Hospital and Laredo Medical Center, other health care providers, Laredo Independent School District (LISD), United Independent School District (UISD), Laredo Health Coalition, Laredo Community College, Texas A&M International University (TAMIU), Mercy Ministries, Mid Rio Grande Border Area Health Education Center (AHEC), and many community volunteers. “OLS provides an opportunity for people to get good, basic preventive health care and learn what they can do to help prevent future health problems,” said Dr. Hector F. Gonzalez, Director of Health for the City of Laredo.
OLS will run at Washington Middle School (10306 Riverbank Drive) from Monday, July 29, 2013, through Friday, August 2, 2013. Persons can take advantage of free medical exams, sports physicals, vision and hearing screenings, blood pressure and glucose screenings, medical referrals, and preventive health education. Back to School Immunizations and limited adult immunizations will also be provided at a cost of $8.00 or free to persons with Medicaid and Medicare. The Military physicians will be providing comprehensive preventive exams. Unfortunately, this year there will be no dental and pharmacy services. Dental referrals, prescriptions and discounted pharmacy cards will be provided.
For those persons who may need transportation to or from the site, limited passes will be available for El Metro. For more information on transportation assistance, please call (956) 795-4951.
OPERATION LONE STAR 2013 SITE:
Washington Middle School
10306 River Bank Drive
Laredo, Texas
July 29, 2013 – August 2, 2013
Monday-Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Friday 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Disasters do not discriminate and because of efforts like Operation Lone Star we stand ready to face any emergency before, during and after it happens. For more information please contact the City of Laredo Health Department at (956) 795-4951.
