Women's Health, Everyone's Concern

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Joseph Garcia
  • 509th Bomb Wing
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  Whiteman Air Force Base provides services to support the mental, spiritual, and physical well-being and health of the service members and families stationed there, and the 509th Medical Group plays a key role in that.

Tucked away within the Family Health & Pediatrics clinic, lies a little-known section that provides important services to women.

The Women’s Health Clinic provides services ranging from pregnancy and UTI tests to dispensing contraceptives. All services are free to anyone who can use the clinic, and they’re expanding the services they provide for women.

The clinic recently made it easier to get an appointment for contraceptives.

In the past, patients had to schedule an appointment and could expect to wait up to 48 hours after booking for their appointment. Now, walk-ins are also an option Monday through Friday 7:30-9 a.m.

These appointments allow healthcare professionals to discuss contraception options with their patients and come up with a plan that’s best for them, said Major Vanessa North, 509th Medical Group, Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner.

“There’s a lot of myths out there that with Roe V. Wade being overturned, we no longer have access to contraception,” she said.

The availability of walk-ins could strain a clinic operated by two people, so there are plans to increase personnel and training to facilitate a higher workload.

North said that they expect to train technicians and providers about the long-term contraceptives available, sharpening they’re skills.

North also hopes to educate Airmen and even leadership across base about the clinic and the services they offer.

“Encourage your individuals to utilize the services available to them and empower your people to take care of themselves,” North said. “If they’re healthy and taken care of, they're going to be a better and more productive Airman.”

Through this empowerment, the Women’s Health Clinic hopes to bring services and education to the women who need it.