Members of Birchwood Area Society Improvement Council's non-profit, in September, 2020 filed an application with the Department of Defense, requesting to be considered for a military medical training mission to be held at the Birchwood Community Center. The Center is at 5623 Highway 60. The Department of Defense informed organizers on July 15, 2021 that the application was approved and a date was set for June 4-13.
Medical members of the various military guard and reserve units will fulfill their two-week training requirements by performing no cost medical service to persons in Rhea, Meigs and Hamilton counties. Residents of other counties are welcome to seek medical care as well.
Approximately 170 doctors and other medical support personnel will treat patients for 10 days. This will include general medical, optical, mental health, physical therapy and dental. This no cost medical clinic is for anyone, civilian or veteran, with no requirement for proof of insurance or income.
The military estimates a medical cost savings to this area of approximately $1 million.
Medical mission sources anticipate seeing more than 2,000 patients during the clinic. The economy will be helped because the military will be enjoying some local tourist attractions, restaurants, car rentals, etc.
A second location, offering the same medical services, will be at the Rhea Middle School in Evensville at the same time. The Rhea Middle School is at 405 Pierce Road.
Gates open at 7 a.m. and close at 2 p.m. at both locations. No appointments are needed, it is first-come, first-served. There will be no overnight parking on the premises.
Military units involved are Air National Guard, Army Reserve, Army National Guard, Navy Reserves and active-duty Air Force.