New Mobile Health Center Now Providing Services in South Broward
Services Provided by the Mobile Health Center:
- General Primary Medical Services
- Diagnostic Laboratory
- Immunizations
- Health Education
- Social Services
Referrals Will Be Provided for:
- Primary Care Centers
- Mental Health Screening and Assessment
- Substance Abuse Treatment/Counseling
- Case Management
- WIC and Other Government-Sponsored Programs
- Employment Counseling
- Food Bank
- Housing Assistance
- Transportation
Updated April 2004 — Adults in South Broward County now have access to Memorial Healthcare System's Mobile Health Center, which is designed to address the growing need for primary healthcare for South Broward residents. After an initial visit to the Mobile Health Center, patients will be matched with a Primary Care Center that can attend to their primary healthcare needs.
"Every neighborhood and organization we work with has expressed their desire for an adult mobile center to complement the Joe DiMaggio Children's Mobile Health Center, which has been providing health services to South Broward County communities since 2000," says Steven Sampier, Director of Community Services at Memorial Healthcare System.
The Mobile Health Center was made possible through an "Expanding Access to Primary Care" grant funded by the Florida Legislature and local resources. The Florida Department of Health's Division of Family Health Services awarded the $385,790 grant to Memorial Healthcare System in a competitive process, and the Healthcare System supplied additional funding of $100,000. The grant will cover a yearlong initiative to promote access to Primary Care, but the role of the Mobile Health Center will continue to grow after this time period. The Children's Mobile Health Center and the Mobile Health Center are the first line of defense in Memorial Healthcare System's "Community First Initiative," an ongoing effort to improve both the health and quality of life of South Broward County residents.
Community in Crisis
The rate of uninsured in Broward County is 14.8 percent, according to the Florida Health Insurance Study 2000. The Mobile Health Center will address this issue by providing initial primary and preventive health services — with referral for continued care through a local Primary Care Center — to medically underserved and uninsured residents in South Broward. By working with trusted community-based entities, such as senior centers, community recreation centers, faith-based organizations, community organizations, and state and local programs, including homeless shelters and feeding programs, the staff of the Mobile Health Center will be better positioned to make the first medical contact with residents in need.
The Mobile Health Center will focus on the health needs of residents living below 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Level and at high risk for diabetes, cardiovascular disease and obesity, as well as overall poor health. Those most in need of primary healthcare in South Broward County are residents who have difficulty accessing services due to language barriers and/or a lack of insurance or income. The Mobile Health Center breaks language barriers by providing a medical and outreach staff that is bilingual and culturally diverse. In addition, the staff will offer education about health issues that directly affect the community.
From Primary Services to a Medical Home
The Mobile Health Center is equipped with two exam rooms, a lab, a phlebotomy (blood drawing) area, a restroom and a workstation, and is wheelchair accessible. It provides general primary care services, including immunizations, lab services, a pharmacy and social services.
While the Mobile Health Center is not intended to provide ongoing care, it introduces patients to Memorial Healthcare System's Primary Care Centers. This is a significant step toward creating a healthier community and a seamless system of healthcare in South Broward. "The primary mission of the Mobile Health Center is to expand access to healthcare for uninsured residents of South Broward," explains Rochelle Ayala, MD, Administrator and Chief Medical Officer for Primary Care Services for Memorial Healthcare System. "Through this outreach program, residents who lack health insurance will be educated about their health and encouraged to take advantage of the comprehensive medical services provided through Memorial's Primary Care Centers."
Overall, the Mobile Health Center will work to reduce the number of adults who rely upon Emergency Departments for primary healthcare services or are hospitalized for avoidable conditions, such as diabetes, asthma or heart disease.
Memorial Healthcare System is the healthcare safety net provider for the 135-square mile community of South Broward County and is committed to serving all residents, regardless of ability to pay.
For information about the Mobile Health Center, contact (954) 276-5985. For information about the Joe DiMaggio Children's Mobile Health Center, contact
(954) 265-6465.