Operation Healthy Delta: Daily Notebook | Final

Operation Healthy Delta has officially ended, and hundreds of Blytheville area citizens have received free health care, as well as referrals for follow-up medical care; an experience which altered quality of life for many.

Over the course of nine days, a military medical unit treated a total of 746 patients at the Great River Charitable Clinic:

-- 415 received medical assessments

-- 196 received lab work

-- 82 received sports physicals

-- 368 dental patients received 804 extractions and 702 X-rays

-- 521 received mental health care

-- 126 received medical referrals

-- 72 received mental health referrals

-- 308 were written prescriptions

Connie Ash, who acted as the project's civilian director, called it a "huge success."

"Blytheville and Mississippi County once again stepped up to the plate and hit a home run," she said. "We were able to provide health care services to people who have no or limited access to health care. We also identified or confirmed health care needs in the community that programs need to be developed for. The military was awesome -- they were professional and compassionate -- the mission was a win-win for everyone."

sharris@blythevillecourier.com