For many parents, summer is a time of preparation, as they help their children get ready to move away to college. For your child, it might be their first time away from home. Will they have health care if they get sick or injured? Fortunately, your child’s TRICARE coverage will stay with them in college if enrolled full-time and meeting eligibility requirements.

Dear Doc: During a recent run in the hot weather, I started to feel dizzy and got a headache. Could this be heat exhaustion or heat stroke? Can you please explain the difference between the two so that my buddies and I can learn ways to prevent heat-related injuries in the hot weather?

Separating from the military means that you leave the service before you retire. You and your family may qualify for temporary health care coverage when you separate from the service. Learn more https://www.tricare.mil/LifeEvents/Separating.

When you leave active duty after serving more than 30 days, you deactivate. Your coverage depends on whether your time was for a preplanned mission or in support of a contingency operation. Learn more at https://www.tricare.mil/LifeEvents/Deactivating.

The IACH Immunization Clinic will offer COVID-19 vaccinations to youth 6 months to 5 years of age effective July 5. Schedule an appointment by calling (785) 239-3627 or use the Patient Portal on MHS GENESIS. COVID-19 vaccinations for different age groups are provided on the following days: Monday: Moderna, ages 18+ Tuesday: Moderna, ages 6 months - 5 years Wednesday: Pfizer, ages 5 - 11 years Thursday: Pfizer, ages 6 months - 4 years Friday: Pfizer, ages 12+

FORT RILEY, Kansas — Irwin Army Community Hospital conducted a combined ceremony Tuesday, June 14, where Col. Edgar G. Arroyo relinquished command of the hospital to Col. Anthony D. Gray; and Command Sgt. Maj. Michael D. Dills II transferred responsibility to Command Sgt. Maj. George L. Foster Jr. Regional Health Command-Central Commanding General Brig. Gen. Shan K. Bagby presided over the ceremony.

1. Join us for the IACH Change of Command & Change of Responsibility ceremony June 14, 9 a.m., on the Cavalry Parade Field, Fort Riley, or watch the livestream on the IACH Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/IrwinArmyCommunityHospital 2. Appointments scheduled for June 14 will be kept. All ancillary services will be available as usual during the June 14 IACH Change of Command ceremony. 3. Celebrate the Army’s 247th Birthday with us June 14, 11:15 a.m. at the IACH dining facility to hear opening remarks from COL Anthony Gray, the incoming hospital commander. The DFAC’s menu for the event: grilled steak, breaded shrimp, twice baked potatoes, wild rice, corn on the cob, grilled asparagus, and assorted desserts to include birthday cake. 4. Her Battle to Prevent Yours. Rachel Fleming lives every day to the fullest, makes no plans beyond 30 days, and tells her family she loves them regularly. She wasn't always like this. Here she shares her story in hopes that we may never have to experience what she is going through now. https://fb.watch/dwoKnyP26J/ or https://youtu.be/fZCbSNyncdQ 5. Schedule your child’s Back-to-School Sports Physical at IACH for June 11, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. Book yours now by calling (785) 239-3627. No walk-ins. Limited appointments available.

Robbin Cole, the CEO of Pawnee Mental Health Services, thought it was a bad idea, but said it anyway to a brainstorming group of community leaders from Manhattan, Junction City and Fort Riley, “why not pool together all mental health resources in the community into one location?”

There was a time when CPT Rachel King had to wrestle with the dilemma of loving a woman openly or serving in the Army. Here she tells us her story so that others may draw strength from her. Creative commons music by Scott Buckley.

They're on Fort Riley, including playgrounds. It only takes about 5 minutes of brushing against tall grass to draw these parasitic arachnids onto your body without your consent. Don't neglect to check yourself and your kiddos. It may be hours or even the next day before discovering they've been feeding on your blood. CPT Jake Pinion, chief of environmental health, helps you reduce the risk of becoming a tick's next meal.

Rachel Fleming lives every day to the fullest, makes no plans further than a month out, and tells her family she loves them. She wasn't always like this. Here she shares her story in hopes that we may never have to experience what she is going through now.

CAUTION: Graphic images of simulated wounds and amputations. The ability to provide trauma care on the battlefield can make the difference in whether a Soldier arrives alive at a higher level of care. IACH Soldiers of all stripes and specialties stepped out of the confines of the hospital and into a simulated austere environment with limited medical capabilities to test their skills in caring for casualties.