TCC opens August back-to-school clinics in Fairbanks, Tok and Galena

Families in Fairbanks, Tok and Galena can get children's sports physicals and immunizations on weekends, after hours, or without an appointment through the end of August.

Tanana Chiefs Conference is running back-to-school clinics at three of its health centers this month. "Throughout August, Tanana Chiefs Conference will host back-to-school clinics at Chief Andrew Isaac Health Center here in Fairbanks, Upper Tanana Health Center in Tok, and Edgar Nolner Health Center in Galena," Karlon Tuluk, VP SO Admin at TCC, said in the organization's weekly video update. The clinics offer well-child checkups, sports physicals and immunizations, with weekend, after-hours and walk-in appointments.

TCC serves 42 member communities, including 39 villages and 37 federally recognized tribes, across 235,000 square miles of Interior Alaska, roughly 37 percent of the state's total land area.

TCC is also marking Indigenous Milk Medicine Week during National Breastfeeding Month. Parents who are breastfeeding or planning to can take a short survey through TCC WIC services to be entered for a prize. A traditional First Food Circle is scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 12, in the Chief Andrew Isaac Health Center lobby, open to people who are pregnant, breastfeeding or pumping.

Tuluk also urged parents to talk with their children about the Benadryl Challenge. "This challenge is a very dangerous social media trend encouraging young people to misuse Benadryl and has been linked to serious overdoses across the country," he said. He advised keeping medications stored securely.

Clinic dates and times for each community are posted on the Chief Andrew Isaac Health Center Facebook page.