KILAUEA — “If I had a picture of a perfect mobile clinic, this would’ve been it,” said Col. Jordan Wyatt, officer in charge at the Tropic Care Kaua‘i Kilauea School site.
The Kilauea site is one of two mobile clinics set up by the Tropic Care Kaua‘i team, a U.S. Department of Defense Innovative Readiness Training program. Opening on Monday, the Kilauea mobile clinic is open today from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. before moving to its next destination.
“We’re a smaller group than the bigger clinics set up in the more-populated areas,” Wyatt said. “We have 35 people on our team that come from all over — North Dakota, Texas, Maine and more. We need to work together to offer almost the same services as the bigger clinics.”
Beyond the size limitation, the mobile clinics offer personnel the training of setting up, breaking down, relocating and setting up in a new site, part of the IRT program.
“We need to be ready to go whenever or wherever we’re deployed to,” Wyatt said.
Elli Ward was a patient negotiating her way through the paperwork and getting sample medications following one station.
“These are really good people,” Ward said. “I’ve been here for two previous Tropic Care programs, and they’re all the same — really nice people. I wouldn’t go to any other place.”
Wyatt said as of 9 a.m. Tuesday the Kilauea clinic had treated more than 70 people.
“We could use more people in the dental section,” Wyatt said. “We also have a nice flow in optometry where people don’t have to wait long to be examined. Our group of 35 people did it all, from problem-solving to taking care of our guests.”
Following Wednesday, the mobile clinic crew sets up at the Waimea Easter Seals facility Friday morning from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday hours will be from 8 a.m. to noon. The final day for Tropic Care Kaua‘i is Monday.
“After Wednesday, this place will look like a cafeteria again,” Wyatt said. “I’ve heard from people that the best shave ice is in Waimea, so I guess we’ll have to try it when we get there.”
In addition to the mobile clinic, there are clinics set up at Kapa‘a Middle School, Kaua‘i Community College, and ‘Ele‘ele School from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday hours are 8 a.m. to noon.
Service at any of the clinics are on a first-come, first-served basis, free of charge, and patrons should bring water and snacks.
