Passing the test: Students prepare for new school year with one stop check-ups Published Aug. 17, 2006 By Lisa Terry McKeown 43rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs POPE AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- The new school year begins in a little more than a week for most students, and Saturday the 43rd Medical Group made sure Pope's students are ready for action. "What we did was a one-stop shop," said Lt. Col. James Dienst, 43rd Medical Operations Squadron commander. "We saved the parents money, time and hassle." Two hundred and five children and their parents joined other Pope families in the clinic throughout the day to receive immunizations, vision screenings, physicals and preventative health counseling. They were also able to play games, visit with the Pope Fire Department at the fire truck parked outside, talk with the McGruff Crime Dog and they also took home a bag of goodies. "We have about 2,000 kids between 4 and 18 years old assigned to the medical group and not all of them need a physical to get back into school, but quite a few do," said Colonel Dienst. "We decided to do as many of them as we could in one day. We want them to have access to get in when they want and need to get in. Otherwise they would have to go off base into the TRICARE network and we want to avoid that as much as we can because we want to take care of them here." Outside the clinic, the physicals can cost anywhere from $25 to $75. "All of the students trying to get in at one time right before school starts creates a difficult scheduling challenge," said Colonel Dienst. "This event give us more than 220 hours of clinic time we can now donate back to the active duty and to those who are sick and need appointments." It's the first time an event like this has happened at Pope. Seventy-five people from the 43rd Medical Group volunteered their Saturday to come and help the event be successful. Although there was a steady stream of families into the clinic during the event, most were through the rotation of medical services and on their way within an hour. "It's great because instead of taking time out of work, we can come in and get it done in one day," said Tech. Sgt. Cheryl Hyder, 43rd Logistics Readiness Squadron, who was there with her son Jonathon. "I'm doing this mostly as a protective measure for him, but they've already identified a vision problem I didn't know about." Those students who are in need of back to school physical exams include those starting at a new school, pre-kindergarten, kindergarten students and those hoping to play fall sports at their school. "For all these parents, it's just one less worry," said the colonel. "Right now if they call, we can try and get them into the system for an appointment, but if we can't they have to make an appointment and go downtown." Not only did the 43rd MDG help Team Pope's families, but it also saved the group more than $27,350. Colonel Dienst said they planned the event in just a few weeks, and that they can't wait to see what they can plan for next year's event.