BUCYRUS, OH (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW)—The Ohio National Guard, in collaboration with the Ohio Department of Health and local health departments, will host its annual “GuardCare” event offering free medical, dental, and vision services to all Ohio residents next weekend, August 9th and 10th. The two-day clinic, a partnership dating back to 1995, will be held at the Trillium Event Center.
Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff, Director of the Ohio Department of Health, emphasized that the event provides “absolutely correct, totally free medical care” with no income requirements or insurance billing. “We just want Ohioans to be healthy and get the services they need,” Vanderhoff stated.
Services available at the GuardCare event include:
- Medical screenings, including sports physicals
- Routine blood lab screenings (e.g., hemoglobin A1C, blood lead levels)
- Immunizations
- Mammograms
- Dental exams and treatments
- Vision screenings, including prescriptions for glasses and minor repairs (in partnership with Ohio’s “Ohio See” program for children)
- Linkages to veteran services, Medicaid information, Imagination Library, addiction care services, financial coaching, and pantry access.
Vanderhoff noted that Crawford County was selected for its strong engagement and collaboration, specifically thanking the Crawford County Board of Developmental Disabilities for providing the event space.
No appointments are necessary for GuardCare services; individuals can simply arrive to receive care. While the Ohio National Guard serves as the primary medical provider for the event, they are supplemented by personnel from the Ohio Department of Health, local health departments, and hospitals. Last year’s GuardCare event in Greene County served over 1,000 individuals.
“This is a great opportunity for the community and a great opportunity for anyone who has need for these healthcare services,” Dr. Vanderhoff said, encouraging Ohioans of all ages to attend, particularly those who may have been deferring care due to cost or lack of insurance.