Buzz. Buzz. Swwwwaaaaaarm. SPLAT! These familiar sounds are a reminder that summer—and even more bugs—will arrive soon. To educate and inform the military community about illnesses transmitted by bugs and how to prevent bug bites at home or while deployed, the Military Health System is holding Bug Week, June 10-17. The week will also demonstrate the good things bugs can do for us.

While traveling overseas, the rules for getting care depend on your sponsor status, your health plan, and your location. Learn your options for accessing care overseas, as well as what you’ll need to do when you return home.

More than 150 dental professionals from across the Department of Defense participated in the 2023 Area Dental Laboratory Symposium May 23-25 in Colorado Springs, Colo.

It’s important for all women to get their recommended preventive services. TRICARE covers all clinical preventive services with no out-of-pocket costs to you if you use a TRICARE network provider. But if you’re age 65 or older and you have TRICARE For Life, follow Medicare’s rules for getting preventive care.

1. The IACH Contraceptive Care walk-in clinic will close Thursday June 8 and open Friday, June 9, 8 – 11 a.m. and 1 – 3:30 p.m. The walk-in clinic, located in the Women’s Health Clinic, provides contraceptive counseling, birth control pills, patches, rings, implants and intrauterine devices, emergency contraception, and removals or replacements. 2. Outpatient behavioral health services for 1st ABCT, 2nd ABCT, or 1st STB are located at Custer Hill Health Clinic, 7672 Parker Rd, Fort Riley. Patients may receive an incorrect automated reminder call stating their appointment is at Farrelly Health Clinic. The reminder call system is currently undergoing technical difficulties.

IACH Updates: 1. IACH patients can expect longer wait times on the central appointment line due to limited staffing. Patients are highly encouraged to book an appointment online through the MHS GENESIS Patient Portal which is available 24 hours. Visit the Patient Portal at https://patientportal.mhsgenesis.health.mil/. 2. From Disbelief to Proclamation Jennifer Gibson used to be skeptical about food allergies. That was before her daughter suffering an anaphylactic reaction triggered by a homemade cashew beverage. Now they can’t leave home without an EpiPen at arm's length. Jennifer had to make drastic changes to mitigate the risk of anaphylaxis but she soon realized that most people are still uninformed about the "Big Nine.” To raise awareness about food allergies, Jennifer sent a request to the Kansas governor's office to sign a proclamation. Here she displays the results of her request to make May 14 - 20, 2023, Food Allergy Awareness Week in Kansas. https://youtu.be/86OeW0JyeFc 3. Mindful Monday Start the week minding your breath, body, and thoughts. IACH launches a series of episodes with MAJ Adhana McCarthy. She guides you through simple short exercises that can be performed right at your desk. https://www.facebook.com/watch/IrwinArmyCommunityHospital/762505581987021/ 4. Your Voice Matters to Fort Riley Leaders The Community Strengths and Themes Assessment (CSTA) evaluates how Fort Riley can improve community health, wellness, readiness and resiliency. Provide your input by completing this online survey at https://usaphcapps.amedd.army.mil/Survey/se/25113745648F0C25. The CSTA survey is conducted every two years to assist commanders in the development of a responsive and holistic community support plan. While participation by the community is voluntary, post leaders encourage participation from all members of the community. Past CSTA results have resulted in positive changes in healthier food options at dining facilities and commissaries, as well as counseling opportunities. 15 minutes spent to respond to the CSTA survey can make a big difference in future programs and initiatives that may ultimately be instituted for Fort Riley.

The Community Strengths and Themes Assessment (CSTA) to evaluate how Fort Riley can improve community health, wellness, readiness and resiliency is now available online. To begin providing your input, visit https://usaphcapps.amedd.army.mil/Survey/se/25113745648F0C25. The CSTA survey is conducted every two years to assist commanders in the development of a responsive and holistic community support plan. While participation by the community is voluntary, post leaders encourage participation from all members of the community. Past CSTA results have resulted in positive changes in healthier food options at dining facilities and commissaries, as well as counseling opportunities. 15 minutes spent to respond to the CSTA survey can make a big difference in future programs and initiatives that may ultimately be instituted for Fort Riley. Your voice matters.

1. As of March 23, Dr. Jonathan Becker, allergy & immunology specialist, will be relocating and no longer practice medicine at Irwin Army Community Hospital. Current allergy patients can continue getting allergy shots at IACH until May 1. Current Allergy patients who wish to continue care in the network must request a referral by contacting the appointment line at (785) 239-3627 or using the MHS GENESIS Patient Portal. IACH Allergy patients seen by Dr. Becker will have a referral placed by the Allergy staff. Patients should expect to receive an authorization from Health Net to establish care in the network. To check the status of a referral, visit the Health Net Federal Services secure log in portal at https://www.tricare-west.com/content/hnfs/home/tw/bene.html” 2. Lab patients are highly encouraged to schedule an appointment to expedite their care. Walk-ins will be seen based on availability and will likely experience long delays. To schedule a lab appointment, call (785) 239-3627. 3. Due to staffing shortages, IACH is consolidating check-in front desks for outpatient clinics starting March 27. Patients may need to check-in at a different front desk than their respective appointment location. Check in at the Physical Therapy front desk, located on the ground floor, for: • Physical Therapy • Occupational Therapy • Chiropractor • Speech Therapy • Soldier Recovery Unit (SRU) Check in at Medical Homes 1 & 2 front desk, located on the 1st floor, for: • Medical Home 1 • Medical Home 2 • Medical Home 3 • Allergy Medicine • Dermatology • Respiratory Therapy • Immunizations Check in at Orthopedics/Podiatry/Brace Shop front desk, located on the 2nd floor, for: • Orthopedics • Podiatry • Brace Shop • Optometry • Ophthalmology Check in at OB-GYN/Women’s Health front desk, located on the 2nd floor, for: • OB-GYN/Women’s Health • General Surgery • Audiology No changes apply to WIC, Lab, Radiology, Behavioral Health, Nutrition Care, Public Health, Farrelly Health Clinic or Custer Hill Health Clinic. 4. Small but Personal -- For some nurses it's more enjoyable to work in a smaller facility where they can give one-on-one care. Denise Devonshire has nursed at large medical centers with high volumes of moms giving birth. As a nurse who prefers enabling moms on a personal level, Irwin Army Community Hospital has become her ideal work place. https://fb.watch/joqj5Nw4XT/ 5. The Added Benefit – When Staci Soden saw how the health of some veterans, including her father, was associated with the time of their military service, she decided to use her nursing skills to make a difference with those on Active Duty. Here she shares her experience as the chief nurse officer-in-charge of a Soldier Centered Medical home in Fort Riley, Kansas. https://fb.watch/joqmIKYV1C/ 6. How Can I Lose Weight? – As a registered dietitian, one of the most common questions Lisa Jones fields is how to lose weight. Here she describes the plate method that is now used to easily see that fruits and vegetables should make up at least half of your diet. For a customized approach to meet your individual goals, call to schedule an appointment. https://fb.watch/joqkudB2gk/ 7. Time Hack to Prep Healthy Meals – Registered dietitians are also busy professionals who have little time at home to prepare full meals that can still be considered healthy. Natalie Barta, an IACH registered dietitian, shares what she does to prep healthy meals for a week for her family. https://fb.watch/joqgGnhL3e/ 8. Who Needs a Dietitian? – Reasons to see a registered dietitian are too numerous but the following should give you a fair idea: weight loss or weight gain, chronic disease, allergies and food sensitivities, athletic performance, vegetarians and vegans, and healthy overall eating. If you aren't sure whether a dietitian can help you, call the IACH Nutrition Care Division to discuss your health goals. https://fb.watch/joqEDAII6C/

His plan was to keep it to himself indefinitely. No one needed to know, especially his loved ones. But two things happened in his life that made the burden of his secret too heavy to bear. Now, at the risk of prejudice and stigma, he opens up so that others can see they are not alone in their darkness. #addiction #amiop #sober #hope #fortriley Music by Scott Buckley (@ScottBuckley) – released under CC-BY 4.0.

A regular practice of alternate nostril breathing is good for the heart, lungs, and brain. It can result in reduced blood pressure and heart rate, improved breathing, motor function, and memory. The yogic principle behind it is balance. #mindfulmonday #mindfulness

COL Anthony Gray, IACH commander, invites hospital team members to join him and MAJ Adhana McCarthy to start the week with a mindful exercise in the healing garden a little past noon. In this interview he discusses what it has been like for him to take on this practice and how it was already resulted in insight.

There are many metaphors associated with this exercise. Spinal flexibility means that someone can truly move in all directions to increase circulation in the body. But, it also parallels the ability for someone to have mental flexibility. If one looks at a situation from multiple perspectives, they often are able to find a perspective that feeds their spirit, instead of a critical perspective that teas them down. Try these six simple stretches (movements) to alleviate tension and stress from the convenience of your seat. #mindfulmonday #mindfulness