PSJA to host Operation Border Health July 21–23 with free medical, dental and vision care

PHARR‑SAN JUAN‑ALAMO ISD will host Operation Border Health at PSJA Early College High School in San Juan from July 21 through July 23, with services open 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day, Soulema Solis, director of health services for the district, said on the PSJA Tri City Talks podcast.

The three‑day event is both an emergency‑preparedness exercise and a community clinic, Solis said, where multiple agencies and volunteers provide on‑site medical care, dental work, vision exams and vaccinations free of charge. "We are open to anyone... we don't check IDs," Solis said, describing intake as focused on medical history and medications rather than proving residency or insurance.

Organizers said medical services include assessment and treatment for acute illness and chronic conditions such as hypertension and diabetes, and staff sometimes prescribe medications to cover patients for up to a year. Dental services will include examinations, cleanings, fillings and extractions with on‑site x‑rays; vision services include screenings and on‑site fabrication of corrective lenses in a mobile unit. Solis said dental and vision care use a voucher system with limited vouchers per day and that the district generally limits people to one dental or vision service per day; medical care does not have the same daily limit.

Solis described the check‑in and triage process: attendees are asked for minimal identifying information and a medication list or actual medications if possible, are triaged to the medical or dental wings, and are assigned to providers based on assessed needs. Mental‑health screening and referrals are available, and organizers said all children under 18 will receive meals through the district's child nutrition service during the event.

The district lists partners including the Texas Department of State Health Services, the Hidalgo County Health Department, the Texas State Guard and Remote Area Medical (RAM), which provides dental and vision personnel and equipment. Solis said the district provides housing and meals for visiting clinical teams and that university partners have included the University of Washington Dental School, Incarnate Word and students from UTRGV and local medical‑training programs.

Solis framed the event as part of the district's broader emergency‑preparedness work: the incident command structure and large‑scale drills used in Operation Border Health helped PSJA scale mass vaccination sites during the COVID‑19 response. "On the biggest days, we took in about 4,000 patients a day," she said, describing the rehearsal‑to‑real‑event transition that the drills enabled.

Logistics organizers highlighted: parking will be off Bridal Ridge Road with traffic direction by security and district staff; the site will have water and restrooms and the district will not require people who choose to stay overnight to leave. Solis encouraged local clinicians and students to volunteer and said volunteers are vetted before working with patients.

Soulema Solis and show hosts emphasized the event’s focus on serving people who lack access to regular care. "Regardless of their circumstances, we're here to help," Solis said, urging listeners to bring medication lists if possible and to arrive early when seeking dental or vision vouchers. The event is free and open to everyone.

Organizers asked prospective volunteers and attendees to contact the PSJA health services office for details. The podcast segment concluded with hosts thanking Solis and reminding listeners of the July 21–23 dates and daily hours.