Fort Drum Medical Activity

Celebrated as Month of the Military Child, April is also Military Children’s Health Month, focusing on bettering the physical and emotional well-being of the more than 2 million military children in the U.S. and overseas. There are almost as many active-duty-member children as there are adults on active duty. #DYK, children and adolescents who share family meals three or more times per week are more likely to be in a normal weight range and have healthier dietary and eating patterns than those who share fewer than three family meals together per week. Learn more about children’s health here: HealthyChildren.org.

It’s World Immunization Week (April 24-30)! As the world focuses on critical new vaccines to protect against COVID-19, there remains a need to ensure routine vaccinations are not missed. Vaccines play a vital role in public health by protecting us and those we love from the dangers of preventable diseases like measles, rubella, pertussis, and many others. Immunization saves millions of lives and is recognized as one of the world’s most successful and cost-effective health interventions.

Today marks the 113th birthday of the U.S. Army Reserve! Originally formed as the Medical Reserve Corps in 1908, today's U.S. Army Reserve has evolved into a global operational reserve force, engaged to support America’s active duty forces.

It’s beginning to look a lot like a North Country winter. Just a reminder, we have moved our single-point screening area to the Southside Family Medicine Clinic (Primary Care) entrance to accommodate our beneficiaries better. This entrance allows for curbside drop off and pick up at the roundabout as well as easy access to ADA accessible parking spaces.

The clock is ticking! Do you want to make changes to your TRICARE health plan, or enroll in a #FEDVIP dental or vision plan? You have one week left to take action: www.tricare.mil/OpenSeason20 #OpenSeason #SeeYourBenefitsClearly

http:///UPDATE/// All systems are back up and running. Beneficiaries can now call the appointment line to book, change or cancel appointments. Thank you for your patience as we worked through this issue. -------------------------------------------------------------------... Be advised, the Fort Drum Medical Activity is experiencing network issues across the organization. At this time, we are unable to access the system used to manage appointments. Patients looking to book or cancel appointments can do so through www.TRICAREOnline.com or leave a message on the Appointment Line to cancel. We will provide an update once our systems are back up and running. Thank you for your understanding and patience. See more

It’s National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. Each year, Pearl Harbor survivors and visitors from all over the world come together and honor the 2,403 service members and civilians who were killed during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. Join us in honoring those who gave the ultimate sacrifice that day.

COVID-19 cases are on the rise in the North Country. Be a part of the solution and do your part to help slow the spread. Stay home when possible, wear a mask over your mouth and nose, stay away from crowds, stay 6 feet away from others, and wash your hands often. Only by working together will we defeat COVID-19.

In hospitals and clinics, the housekeeping staff is essential in controlling and stopping the spread of disease, especially during a pandemic. If you’ve been in one of the Fort Drum Medical Activity clinics, you’ve probably seen one of these unsung heroes working hard to protect others by keeping our healthcare environment free from infections and enhancing the overall health of our clinics. Please join us in thanking our housekeeping team for their role in keeping us all... safe. #ArmyMedicine is #ArmyStrong!

PATIENT AND FAMILY PARTNERSHIP COUNCIL IS IN SESSION! What is the Patient and Family Partnership Council? The Patient and Family Partnership Council (PFPC) is comprised of patients, family members, and members of the healthcare team with a goal of exploring opportunities to improve overall experience of care. ... Who is Eligible to Apply to Join the PFPC? All patients of Guthrie Ambulatory Clinic 18 years of age or older. How Do I Get Involved? Contact the NEW Patient Advocate, Rosalinda White, at (315)-772-4655 or [email protected] Why Do I Have to Apply for the PFPC? A mix of age, gender, and military status will ensure that the PFPC is a true sample of our entire population. As an Advisor you will represent the interest of ALL patients. What Training is Required? All Volunteers will have to complete American Red Cross or other established local volunteer training programs. A confidentiality agreement will have to be signed, and lastly there will be a requirement to complete annual Privacy Act training (HIPAA) When will the PFPC meet? The PFPC will meet monthly. Council members may be asked to attend additional meetings with Guthrie Staff. YOUR VOICE YOUR HEALTH! WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

Thank you to all families and retirees who have received flu vaccinations so far at Guthrie Ambulatory Health Clinic. The Fort Drum Medical Activity is currently awaiting receipt of additional flu vaccines for the standard age population and will be temporarily unable to book appointments for flu vaccines at this time. Stay tuned for upcoming dates to receive a flu vaccine at Guthrie. If you or your family require a flu shot immediately, there are numerous pharmacies and othe...Continue reading

Getting your flu vaccine is more important than ever this year to protect yourself and the people around you from the flu and help reduce the strain on healthcare systems responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. While the flu vaccine will not prevent COVID-19, it will help reduce the burden of flu illnesses and hospitalizations, conserving scarce medical resources for the care of people with COVID-19. This year, the Fort Drum Medical Activity is conducting flu vaccines by appointment only in order to mitigate the potential spread of COVID-19. Be sure to make your appointment today to receive your annual flu vaccine by calling the MEDDAC Appointment Line at (315) 772-2778.

Flu shots have arrived for ages 6 months and up! If you are a Guthrie Primary Care Clinic enrolled patient, please call the appointment line at 315-772-2778 to book your appointment today.... Note: There will be NO walk-in flu services this year due to the COVID-19. All flu shots are by appointment only. We have dedicated separate appointments and staff specifically for flu shots. *Division Soldiers should speak to their unit medical team. *Only Patients enrolled with a Primary Care Manager at Guthrie can receive an appointment for a flu shot. U.S. Army Fort Drum & 10th Mountain Division

Starting 14 October 2020, the Pharmacy and Pre-Op COVID Testing traffic patterns will change. Please see the below traffic advisories for both the Pharmacy and Pre-Op COVID Testing services. When utilizing these services and traffic routes, please be aware that Guthrie Clinic is undergoing a construction project and contractors are using large equipment on the roads surrounding the building. PHARMACY: Please enter through the entrance/exit which feeds directly into the Phar...macy Parking Lot. This opening was previously used as a single exit route with barriers, but is now two way traffic. PRE-OP COVID Testing: Please follow normal traffic routes leading to the roundabout circle directly in front of the Guthrie Ambulatory Health Clinic Entrance.

*** As of 1300, 13 October 2020 the appointment line issue have been resolved and the phone lines are now working.*** Please be advised, our appointment line is experiencing technical difficulties and is currently unable to receive calls. In the meantime, beneficiaries looking to make a same-day appointment can do so by going to TRICAREOnline.com, calling the MHS Nurse Advice Line at 1-800-TRICARE (874-2273), or by sending a message through the TRICARE Online Secure Messaging. We will post an update as soon as the lines are back up and running. Thank you for your patience as we work through this issue.

It’s #PAWeek. On Oct. 6, COL Rob Heath, the Fort Drum Medical Activity commander and career Physician Assistant, joined MAJ Gary Clarkson, the 10th Mountain Division senior PA, and other PAs across the installation during a cake cutting ceremony to mark the beginning of National PA Week. Thank you to all our PAs across the Army for everything you do, especially during these challenging times. #ArmyMedicine is #ArmyStrong!

Every year from October 6-12, we celebrate National Physician Assistant Week, which recognizes the PA profession and its contributions to the nation’s health. This #PAWeek is especially significant as it falls during a global pandemic. PAs have stepped up in major ways, including serving on the front lines of the COVID-19 response. Please join us in thanking PAs across the nation for their role in healthcare delivery.

Columbus Day Operating Schedule: The Fort Drum Medical Activity will operate on a half-day schedule Friday, Oct. 9, during the Division DONSA. All clinics and services will be close at 12 p.m. The MEDDAC will be closed to all patient care and services, to include the Bowe TMC consolidated respiratory and fever clinic, on Monday, Oct. 12, in observance of Columbus Day. Normal operations will resume Tuesday, Oct. 13.... If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. Should you still require assistance, please call the TRICARE Nurse Advice Line at 1-800-TRICARE (874-2273) or go online to www.TRICAREOnline.com.

Today, we celebrate our teachers more than ever as they face challenging times with #COVID19. Thank you for your commitment to our children and students in college, tech schools, and military courses. Thank you for developing our future leaders. #WorldTeachDay

Flu shots have arrived for ages 6 months and up. If you are a Guthrie Primary Care Clinic enrolled patient, please call the appointment line at 315-772-2778 to book your appointment today. Note: There will be NO walk-in flu services this year due to the COVID-19. All flu shots are by appointment only.... *Division Soldiers should speak to their Battalion Aid Station. *Only Patients with a Primary Care Manager at Guthrie can receive an appointment for a flu shot. U.S. Army Fort Drum & 10th Mountain Division 10th Mountain Division 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, 10th Mountain Division

To prepare for the upcoming winter, we have made some minor adjustments to the way beneficiaries receive pre-operative (pre-op) COVID-19 tests. Starting today, COVID-19 testing for pre-op patients will now occur indoors, making pre-op testing safer and more comfortable for our patients and staff. Patients will still enter through the Pharmacy / Pre-Op entrance at the Guthrie Clinic off Mt. Belvedere Blvd. Next, follow the sign to the left to the Pre-Op testing point. Park next to the cone and enter the clinic through the sliding glass doors (if there’s another vehicle ahead of you, wait until they depart before entering the clinic). Once inside, follow the directions of the healthcare team for testing.