by Staff Reports
Prescott-based Thumb Butte Medical Center recently took a team of seven health professionals to northeastern Arizona, where they performed COVID-19 antibody tests for members of the White Mountain Apache Tribe.
All in all, more than 1,500 tests were performed over one weekend last month, with all expenses donated by the medical center.
“It was a great team effort along with tribal leaders. It was a great experience. I’ve never seen anything like that in my life,” said Dr. Hojat Askari, founder of the Thumb Butte Medical Center.
Askari said the tribe approached him for help, adding his team was shown generous hospitality while they were there. Local residents brought the team lunch and beverages throughout each day.
“Miles of cars lined up for the testing. We tested first responders, tribal leaders, families and children. After being tested, the children danced and celebrated when they found out they were negative,” Askari said with a wide smile.
Currently, Thumb Butte Medical offers drive-thru rapid antibody testing seven days a week at its Prescott location, 3124 Willow Creek Road. It also has offices in Prescott Valley and Chino Valley.
It also conducts in-house PCR nasal swab testing for COVID-19, pneumonia, influenza and other infections. Results are available within 24 hours. Thumb Butte Medical runs tests for its own practice and other local doctors.
“We are looking for ways to help more in the future, both the White Mountain Apache Tribe and our local community,” Askari said.