Civilian Wellness program offers variety of health services

  • Published
  • By Diane Betzler
  • Staff Writer
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  The Civilian Wellness program has been serving the Edwards Department of Defense civilian workforce for more than two years offering free clinics that screen people for common health ailments.

"We currently provide six separate services and set up screening clinics for detecting skin cancer, administer flu shots, mammograms for women and prostrate exams for men, and we offer blood screening clinics and osteoporosis screenings," said Angelia Revada, Civilian Wellness program manager. She said each clinic has either a doctor or registered nurse on hand, depending on the requirements of the service.

"We've had several requests from base civilian workers, asking us to add a thyroid screening clinic and a tetanus vaccination clinic to our list of services," Ms. Revada said. Program officials are looking into incorporating the additional clinics.

As the base civilian population lets the program officials know what other health screening needs there are, if the need is strong enough, wellness program officials will research what it will take to offer that service.

"If there is enough interest to make it worth our while to bring a nurse or doctor out, we'll do that," Ms. Revada said. She said it takes at least 25 people requesting the need for a particular service for it to happen.

Some of the services require advance reservations, but some are simply first-come, first-served.

"When we offer the yearly flu shot clinic, folks don't need to make appointments for that kind of thing, but for the upcoming skin cancer clinic and many others, an appointment is required."

The skin cancer screening clinic, which is scheduled for March 22 and 23, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Bldg. 2850, is an appointment only clinic because it requires one-on-one time with Dr. Susan Smith, the Los Angeles-based dermatologist who will be the physician in attendance.

"If someone is concerned about a mole or a mark on their skin, it's better to play safe and have it looked at," Ms. Revada said.

Although the skin cancer clinic is now completely booked, Ms. Revada said they are still accepting names to be placed on a waiting list.

"Often there is the need for someone to cancel, when that happens, we can take the next name on the waiting list and give the appointment to that person," she said.

As clinics are scheduled, announcements are posted in the Desert Eagle to notify civilian workers where the clinic will be held as well as the date and time. The announcement will also let people know if they need to make appointments for that particular clinic. All clinics are free of charge and are open to all DOD civilians that work at Edwards.

Appointments can be scheduled by emailing Ms. Revada at: angelia.revada@edwards.af.mil. For additional information Ms. Revada can be reached at (661) 277-4629.