Taking it on the road

Ohio County Healthcare introduced their new mobile access care clinic, “the MAC Mobile,” at this past weekend’s Centertown Days. In funding partnership with Health Resources and Services Administration, OCH contracted with Brewco Marketing out of Central City for the fabrication of the 29-foot mobile unit.

The MAC mobile will help to ensure rural healthcare services are accessible throughout Ohio County and surrounding areas.

The 200-square-foot unit contains two patient screening rooms, a work area for health care staff and storage areas at the front and rear for supplies. The unit runs off generator power providing electrical access for computers and medical devices. It is also complete with a cooling system. It is intended to promote vaccine confidence through education and administration of pediatric and adult immunizations, provide on-site health screenings and assessments, as well as COVID-19 testing and vaccination, work-site wellness services, school-based health services and a variety of other specialty-specific outreach clinics. If needed, it could also be utilized for on-site first aid at community events or provide disaster relief efforts.

“With the launch of the mobile care clinic, OCH hopes to alleviate many of the common barriers our

patients face when accessing care. We recognize the struggles of prioritizing those important preventive and wellness appointments because of schedule conflicts, transportation issues or work obligations,” states Shellie Shouse, OCH’s Chief Executive Officer. “The MAC Mobile makes access to healthcare easier by bringing it right to our patients – close to their homes and workplaces.”

This investment in the mobile access care unit is supported by the Health Resource and Service Administration of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as part of an award totaling $99,058 with 40% financed with non-governmental sources.

OCH invites the community to tour the new MAC Mobile at several upcoming community events throughout Ohio and Butler Counties. The unit will be on display on Friday and Saturday at the Ohio County Fair (Sept 16 and 17), Harvest on the Square in Morgantown (Sept. 24) and the Hartford Fire Department’s October Festival (Oct. 7 and 8).

Additionally, OCH will be providing on-site flu vaccination clinics throughout the Ohio County School system during October. If interested in scheduling on-site wellness services or a health education event, please contact the OCH Community Relations Department at 270-298-5434.

There are currently two positions available as part of this community health outreach: MAC Mobile Driver and Coordinator of Services. The duties and job requirements can be viewed at OCHcares.com.