An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Hawaiian communities welcome Tropicare 13

  • Published
  • By Dana Lineback
  • 940th Wing Public Affairs
BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  "My sons have not seen a doctor in a long time. I just want to know if I can bring them here."

The lady on the other side of the fence seemed to be talking to no one in particular.

Without making eye contact, she continued, "And my husband, he's in such pain with two bad teeth. I just want to know, he's not here, but if he comes, can you help him?"

Tears streamed down her face.

Auntie Jessie, executive director of the Ka'u Rural Health Community Association, had been interviewing with an Air Force Reserve public affairs specialist about Tropicare 13, an Innovative Readiness Training event operating two clinics in her district. The clinics were offering free health care services to under-served populations there.

Jessie leaped to her feet and invited the woman to come closer, reassuring her that the clinic could see them, and someone could help her fill out the paperwork to get her family seen.

Embarrassed, the woman turned and retreated quickly toward the parking lot she had crossed to come to the fence. Jessie hurried after her.

"Auntie, come back. We can help you here. Come back!"

Before scurrying past the fence, Jessie turned and said, "This, this is the Tropicare story."

The Ka'u High School on Hawaii's Big Island was one of five sites where reserve component medical personnel from the Air Force, Navy, Army and Air National Guard came together for a medical Innovative Readiness Training event dubbed Tropicare 13, June 2-15.

During the joint service two-week annual training event, military medical professionals provided free health care clinics and performed community service projects for under-served populations throughout the Hawaiian islands of Lanai, Maui, Molokai and Hawaii. The clinics offered basic dental, medical and optometry examinations, health education classes, and pharmaceutical and laboratory services to area residents.

Jessie, described the population of the Ka'u district on the Big Island as a very diverse, post-plantation community comprised of caucasian retirees, Marshallese, as well as second and third generation Hawaiians. Jessie said the nearly 6,000 people of her district are serviced by two clinics and one rural health hospital, a critical access and long-term care facility.

"We have a great amount of people who don't have insurance, are under-insured and don't speak English. They're not aware of a lot of things with the new Obama care coming upon us. With Tropicare's medical, vision and dental clinics tying in with the ancillary kinds of services we have here at this event, such as lung functioning testing and cardiogram services, it's really a complementary health service," Jessie said.

Logistics has been the biggest barrier in getting people to come to the Tropicare clinics in Ka'u, according to Jessie.

"The people who need these services have limited transportation, so access is a big issue. But this is how our community is, they learn about this service through the "coconut wireless" and once they know there is somebody they can trust, they come.

"Our community is not used to having the military here, but the people who have come to the Tropicare clinics are so happy. These are 500 people who never had access to these services before. For that, we are very grateful," Jessie said. "The benefits go beyond just the dollars and cents; it's an opportunity for our community to get to know all of the armed services - not just as a military, but as individuals, not just a sea of camouflage uniforms. We hope this has also been an experience for Tropicare."

Joelle Aoki, director of the Coalition for Drug-free Lanai, said the organization had initially applied for the Reserve IRT services two years ago, so the community had long awaited the Tropicare event.

"There are no words to express our deepest appreciation for what you have done for the island of Lanai and its people. The care and genuine love you provided is indescribable. Your kindness, professionalism and generosity will never be forgotten," Aoki said. "Although you're not from Hawaii, you embody the spirit of aloha and the true meaning of taking care of everyone."

Lt. Col. Sharolyn Lange, Alaska Air National Guard 176th Medical Group commander and team lead for the 212 military members at the Lanai site, praised her team for their accomplishments.

"You produced the synergy you needed to have a successful mission. Your joint efforts culminated in over 1808 encounters, 3,286 procedures and 379 education and mental health contacts. And let's not forget the request for help from the community that you successfully answered," Lange said at Wednesday's closing ceremony

"We've been told that the spirit of Hawaii requests from us that we do not take from the environment, but that we leave it the way we found it. I submit that we will be unable to not take from this place the memories of relationships we formed with the communities and each other," Lange said.

"I'm proud of you, humbled by your energy, compassion and ability to overcome barriers. I leave inspired by all you have done and by the spirit of this place. I challenge you to hold on to this energy. Leave here at full strength, return to your jobs and units with the sense of the world as a good place, a place where your talents and skills produce healing and unity."