The Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center in Fort Cavazos, Texas, recently hosted its first Kidz Fest on August 3, providing parents with the opportunity to get their children’s sports and school physicals early. This event was held in conjunction with the hospital’s annual school and sports physicals, offering a fun-filled day for military families in the area.
Family members enrolled in CRDAMC clinics were able to make appointments at the hospital’s pediatric clinic or walk into the Family Medicine Residency clinic during the event. The Kidz Fest featured games, arts & crafts, reading activities, prizes, and a backpack raffle, making it an engaging and enjoyable experience for children and parents alike.
The event kicked off with an opening ceremony led by Lt. Col. Theresa Suggs, chief of Army Public Health Nursing at CRDAMC. She welcomed attendees and expressed her excitement about bringing military families together for a day of health and wellness. Col. Garrick Cramer, the hospital commander, also thanked the vendors, event coordinators, and staff for their efforts in organizing the event and providing care to family members.
One of the highlights of the Kidz Fest was the backpack raffle, where 40 backpacks filled with school supplies were given away to lucky winners. Lt. Col. Omar Shami, commander of the 11th Field Hospital, and his wife were among the winners, adding to the excitement of the day. Families like theirs, who were preparing to PCS to Virginia, found the event to be a positive and stress-free experience.
In addition to the physicals and fun activities, the Kidz Fest featured various vendors, including Child & Youth Services (CYS) on Fort Cavazos and the infection prevention branch of the hospital. Juliana Luciano, the branch manager of infection prevention and control at CRDAMC, emphasized the importance of hand hygiene and vaccination in preventing illness and promoting a strong immune system in children.
CYS provided information on childcare, youth sports and fitness programs, and nutrition programs available to military families. Kristine Caparco, the school liaison officer at CYS, highlighted the organization’s role in promoting family resiliency and connecting families with resources in the community. Interested beneficiaries were encouraged to contact the Fort Cavazos office for more information on CYS programs.
Overall, the CRDAMC Kidz Fest was a successful event that brought together military families for a day of health, wellness, and fun. Lt. Col. Suggs expressed her hope for the event to continue growing in the future, providing even more resources and support to military families in the community. Whether families needed school or sports physicals or simply wanted to enjoy the activities and resources available, the Kidz Fest offered something for everyone to enjoy.
