Operation Lone Star

Operation Lone Star 2010

Operation Lone Star has arrived in Brownsville. Military personnel, state and county officials and hundreds of volunteers will provide free health services at Garcia Middle School, 5701 FM 802.

The two-week event is a joint project of the state health and human services agencies, Texas State Guard, Army and Air National Guard, county health departments, local service groups and civilian volunteers. Operation Lone Star covers seven counties and is the largest humanitarian effort of its kind in the United States.

State health and human services workers will provide information about health and wellness programs to prevent substance abuse, help people with disabilities and protect vulnerable children and adults. Local nonprofit organizations also will have staff available to provide information about their services.

Every year, thousands of people along the border take advantage of this program. For some, it may be their only visit with a doctor all year.

Operation Lone Star also serves as a way for state and local officials to train for a medical emergency. Setting up the two-week, multi-site clinics becomes a real-time exercise on how to respond to a public health crisis.

Operation Lone Star sites will provide care from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday.

Some of the services provided are:

* Immunizations

* Diabetic screening

* Blood pressure screening

* Hearing & vision exams

* Sports physicals

* Limited pharmacy

* Limited dental services

Volunteers from Christ Church of the Valley