CHESAPEAKE, Va. (WAVY) — Step inside Chesapeake Regional Healthcare’s new mobile medical unit. There’s no appointment or insurance needed.
“It’s very simple. It’s it is bringing health care to those who might not otherwise be able to access it, “said Chesapeake Regional Healthcare’s Supportive Care Service Line Director Morgan Allen.
The unit will roll into neighborhoods in South Norfolk, Deep Creek and Western Branch to serve those who may not have transportation, time or money to get to a doctor’s office.
“When they see that you’re trying to meet them where they’re at, it makes them more trusting of the medical health community in general,” said Dr. Clare Mundy, mobile unit medical director.
With two exam rooms and a lab on board, staff will prioritize prevention and finding and treating chronic conditions.
“So checking cholesterol, checking, kidney function, liver function, even getting like rapid HIV testing or hep C testing, we want to be able to do all vaccines,” Mundy said.
The unit will park in the same spots every week so they’re easy to find. Which neighborhoods are on the route is driven by data provided by Healthy Chesapeake.
Another partner, the Rotary Foundation, provided fuel to the tune of $128,000 for the startup.
“Normally, we go out and help other Rotary clubs around the world. We’ve never had what we call an inbound grant,” said Rotary Club Foundation chairperson SuAnne Bryant.
But the need is here, it’s local.
“These are our neighbors,” Bryant said. “These are people we should care about.”
Now, help is hitting the road destined they hope for better health.
This Thursday, the Mobile Unit will be at the Chesapeake Schools “Get on The Bus” event at the Chesapeake Conference Center, where they’ll provide back-to-school physicals and vaccines.
Then on Saturday, Aug. 17, it will be at the Buffalow Family and Friends in South Norfolk, (2403 Bainbridge Blvd Chesapeake) for an official ribbon cutting at 11:30 a.m. before the Back to School Wellness Fair and Giveaway.