Big news for families in and around Binghamton! Broome County has partnered with the United States Department of Defense for a special joint mission called Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) Healthy Broome. This incredible initiative will provide no-cost medical, dental, optometry, and veterinary services to residents right here in our community!
This is a fantastic opportunity to access vital health services for your family, especially as we head towards the back-to-school season.
When & Where:
- Dates: August 11 - August 20, 2025
- Main Location: SUNY Broome Community College’s Ice Center (907 Front St, Binghamton, NY 13905)
- Veterinary Services ONLY: Broome County Humane Society (167 Conklin Ave, Binghamton, NY 13903)
What Free Services Will Be Offered?
Healthy Broome is bringing a wide range of services to help our community thrive:
- Medical Services:
- Ages 16+: Preventive care, acute disease management, appropriate referrals.
- Ages 6-18: School Physicals (perfect for getting ready for the new school year!).
- Ages 18+: Behavioral health screenings.
- Dental Services (Ages 16+): Dental exams, oral cancer screenings, hygiene education, pain management, X-rays, fillings, and simple to moderate extractions.
- Optometry Services (Ages 5+): Refractions (eye exams for glasses), screenings for glaucoma and macular degeneration, dilated diabetic eye exams, and fabrication of eyeglasses on-site!
- Veterinary Services (Dogs and Cats only): Provided at the Broome County Humane Society. Important Note: Applications for the no-cost spay/neuter services are now CLOSED. Surgeries will be scheduled from the pool of accepted applications.
How It Works: Important Information for Attendees
- No Appointment Needed: Services are provided on a walk-in basis.
- First-Come, First-Served: Plan to arrive early! Each service has a limited number of patients that can be seen each day. Once a service reaches its daily capacity, it will stop accepting new patients, which may happen before 5pm.
- Hours of Operation:
- Registration opens at 8am
- Services begin at 9am
- Services conclude by 5pm
- Expect Wait Times: Due to high demand and the walk-in nature, be prepared for potential wait times and be patient with staff and volunteers.
- Stay Updated: Daily updates on service availability and capacity will be posted on the Healthy Broome social media pages:
- Facebook: @HealthyBroomeIRT
- Instagram: @healthybroome
Free Transportation & Volunteer Opportunities!
- Free BC Transit Rides: From August 11-20, anyone attending the Healthy Broome mission can ride BC Transit at no cost. Just hop on the bus, let the driver know you’re headed to Healthy Broome, and you’re on your way – no fare required! (For information on BC Transit routes, visit broomecountyny.gov/transit.)
- Volunteer! The United Way of Broome County is seeking volunteers to assist with event operations. Morning and afternoon (5-hour) shifts are available. Those interested in volunteering and being a part of Healthy Broome can sign up at uwbroomevolunteers.org.
Good to Know:
- Who can receive services? All services are open to the public; no insurance or payment is required.
- What should I bring? Bring any medical history or records you can provide, including a list of current prescriptions. It is also recommended to bring water and snacks, as food and beverages will not be available on site.
- Is the site ADA accessible? Yes, SUNY Broome’s campus is ADA-compliant.
- Follow-up Care: Follow-up services are not provided as part of the mission. However, local health resources will be on site for individuals who may need additional care.
- Emergency Care: Healthy Broome does not provide emergency or urgent care services.
This is a phenomenal opportunity for Broome County residents to access essential health services for free. Don't miss out on Healthy Broome – mark your calendars and plan to arrive early!
Did you enjoy this article? Show some love! Macaroni KID Binghamton sends a free newsletter every Thursday focused on fun events and information for local families. Join over 7,000 of your neighbors and subscribe to the newsletter to receive the weekly scoop! You can also follow us on Facebook and Instagram!
Macaroni KID Binghamton is run by a local mom and this website is supported solely by our local sponsors. If you would like to join our network of family-friendly businesses and connect with local parents in Binghamton, Johnson City, Vestal, Apalachin, Owego, and beyond, please reach out and learn how you can share your offerings with our readers!
 |  |  |
