No-Cost Medical, Dental, Optometry, and Veterinary Services Available to the Public through Innovative Readiness Training
(TOWN OF DICKINSON, NY) – Broome County, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Military’s Reserve Forces, is proud to announce Healthy Broome, a community health initiative through the Department of Defense’s Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) program. Healthy Broome will offer medical, dental, optometry, and veterinary services at no cost to residents from August 11 to August 20, 2025, at SUNY Broome Community College’s Ice Center.
Services will be available to any individual or pet (dogs and cats only) in need at no cost, with no insurance required. All services are offered on a walk-in basis and are first-come, first-served each day.
More details and service descriptions can be found at www.broomecountyny.gov/irt. Further updates will be available in the time leading up to the event on Facebook @HealthyBroomeIRT and Instagram @healthybroome.
United Way of Broome County is coordinating volunteers to support Healthy Broome. Community members interested in helping this mission are encouraged to visit https://www.uwbroomevolunteers.org/ for more information.
“Healthy Broome is an incredible opportunity to bring quality health services directly to the people of our community, at no cost,” said Broome County Executive Jason Garnar. “This partnership with the Department of Defense allows us to meet critical needs for residents while helping our military personnel gain vital real-world training.”
SUNY Broome President Dr. Tony Hawkins said, “we are honored to host the Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) at SUNY Broome this summer, providing vital support to our community while offering our Student Village as a home base for the dedicated service members participating in Healthy Broome.”
“I look forward to the 2025 Heathy Broome County Innovative Readiness Training event. This program not only produces mission-ready forces through military training opportunities, but it also provides key services for communities such as Broome County. Service members will provide medical, dental, vision, behavioral health, and basic veterinarian services. These Service members will benefit from real-world medical training, while Broome County as the community partner will benefit from no-cost medical care,” said Joseph Mihalko, Broome County Clerk and Southern Tier 8 Board Member.
I am absolutely thrilled that the Innovative Readiness Training Program is coming to Broome County and especially pleased to learn it will be held in the Town of Dickinson and in the campus of SUNY Broome,” said Town of Dickinson Supervisor, Michael Marinaccio. “This is a much-needed program that will serve our great veterans and others. Our veterans have served our country and have made it a safer place to live and now it is time that we serve our veterans. I am also grateful for the approximately 130 military staff that will provide the many services such as dentistry, optical services, psychological services, and even veterinary services for pets. Thank you all who have organized this wonderful event. God Bless America and God Bless our Veterans.”
