The Texas Medical Rangers and Thousands of Patients
Abstract
In 2006, medical professionals from the Texas Army National Guard, the Texas State Guard, and numerous local and state agencies offered thousands of low-income Rio Grande Valley residents an opportunity to see a doctor, dentist, or nurse during the 7-year-old annual summertime humanitarian mission known as Operation Lone Star. For those who lack access to affordable health care, Operation Lone Star provides basic dental care, medical exams, blood pressure and diabetes screenings, and also timely immunizations for children preparing for school. Temporary on-site pharmacies offered limited prescription medications at no charge to patients who could not otherwise afford them. The Texas State Guard provided many of the personnel needed to keep up with the flow of thousands of patients divided among several makeshift clinics, most of which were set up at local elementary schools. The Medical Reserve Corps (MRC), an organization within the Texas State Guard, was first activated in February 2003. The first unit was based at the University of Texas Health Science Center-San Antonio. Since then, regional groups have been established in Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth, Tyler and San Antonio among others. Recruitment is approaching 400 members.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2006
- Accession Number
- ADA497328
Entities
People
- Brenda Benner
Organizations
- Texas Army National Guard