Lajes Field clinic hosts School and Sports Physical Day

  • Published
  • By Capt. George Tobias
  • 65th ABW Public Affairs
LAJES AIR FORCE BASE, Azores --  A steady flow of children and their parents passed through the 65th Medical Group clinic during a School and Sports Physical Day here Aug 20. 

With almost 120 appointments scheduled for the day, the 65th MDG was far busier than a normal duty day as children came in to get their school and sports physicals done. 

From signing in to signing out, with getting vitals taken, shots given, vision tested as well as a check-up in between, the average time for the young patients to process though the clinic was about 15 minutes. 

"With five providers we are able to maximize our efficiency," said Lt. Col. Jody Ocker, 65th Medical Operations Squadron commander. 

"Once it starts rolling, it really starts rolling," said Maj. Colby Benedict, 65th MDG. 

Once a year, the 65th MDG sets aside a day in which they will focus only on children's physicals for both school and to participate in sports. 

"It has become a Lajes tradition since 2004," said Major Benedict. 

Last year the clinic here conducted 111 physicals and it was considered a huge success, according to Major Benedict. 

Also present during the School and Sports Physical Day was a small health fair, which highlighted dental education, physical fitness tips and health and wellness information. 

Senior Airman Fleming Brooks, 65th Communication Squadron, who brought his daughter, Victoria, to get her school physical for the upcoming school year, was impressed by the easy process and the support the 65th MDG offers said, "Compared to State side base, this place is a lot more family orientated." 

"The Key to this event is prescreening," said Major Benedict, "but, the key piece to this whole thing is the people who work here, the nurses, the doctors and all the technical support."