Ohio National Guard on a mission to provide free health exams this weekend

XENIA, Ohio (WDTN) — The Ohio National Guard is on a special mission in Greene county this weekend providing free health exams at the Greene County Career Center.

The Ohio National Guard hosts GuardCare in a different part of the state each year as a training exercise and to give back to the community.

“It’s a little bit of everything, so that’s why we love it and that’s why we’re doing it,” GuardCare Mission Officer In Charge Andew Pepin said.

Back for the first time since the pandemic, the Guard partnered with Greene County Public Health.

More than 200 Guard members, alongside other volunteers are offering physical exams, dental cleanings, eye exams, lab testing and more Saturday and Sunday. No appointments are needed and no insurance is required.

“Lots of people are uninsured or underinsured, and this gives an opportunity for folks to get that care that they might put off because of the co-pays are too high or they just don’t have the coverage,” Cheryl Wynn, director of planning, preparedness and promotion at Greene County Public Health, said.

The event also trains Guard members for deployment to a disaster or emergency.

“We learn planning, activation, assigning roles, delegating and being familiar with this mobile equipment,” Pepin said.

Those who came out say with everything so expensive nowadays, they’re grateful this service can be offered for free.

“Health care is so expensive, and so, you know, if you have high deductibles and things, it’s just, you know, it’s something that’s needed actually,” Bobbie Murray from Fairborn said.

GuardCare will continue on Sunday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

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