On the Move: Atrium Health’s Newest Mobile Medicine Unit Hits the Streets

With generous support from The Tepper Foundation and additional community funders, Atrium Health is developing an innovative care delivery model to provide high-quality, equitable healthcare to many of our region’s most at-risk and high-need residents. Atrium Health’s Mobile Healthcare Program will meet patients where they are, targeting communities whose residents experience economic and social challenges that make it difficult to receive care through traditional care models. 

 

Standing 13 feet wide, and weighing several tons, the first of four new mobile units designed for the Mobile Healthcare Program launched earlier today in Atrium Health’s South Market. The mobile unit was made possible by a generous $1.2 million gift from The Tepper Foundation, which continues to be a champion for many of the region’s greatest needs. 

 

“This innovative care model supports Atrium Health’s efforts to offer patients convenient access to care where they live, work, and play,” said David Tepper, owner, Carolina Panthers and Charlotte FC. “Our organizations share the same passion for empowering people in high-risk communities to improve and achieve their best health.” 

 

Starting with the first mobile unit, which was dispatched this morning from Atrium Health Mobile Medicine headquarters on Beam Road to Anson County for its first day of visits, the Mobile Healthcare Program will address health disparities by better connecting care and facilitating access to community resources. Ultimately, Atrium Health aims to engage and empower patients in high-risk communities to improve and achieve their best health.  

 

The Mobile Healthcare Program, at a glance: 

• Location and Service: The first mobile medicine unit will serve South Mecklenburg, Anson, and Union counties. The unit will serve patients Monday – Thursday, between the hours of 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM. 
• Staffing: Each unit will have a 3-person staff comprised of a Family Nurse, Practitioner, Driver/Registrar, and a Certified Medical Assistant; while not on the unit, each team will be led by clinical and operational leaders from Community Health and Primary Care teams. 
• With support from additional community funders, two additional primary care units will launch later this year in Atrium Health’s West and North Markets, in addition to a Women’s Care unit. 
• The four-vehicle fleet is expected to serve over 480 patients by the end of the year. 

 

Above: Atrium Health Mobile Healthcare Programs Map

 

Patient services provided (patients ages 2 and up): 

• Well Visits for Children and Adults – including sports physicals, vision, hearing, and other screenings 
• Women’s Health – pap smears, breast exams, pregnancy identification and education, some family planning  
• Vaccinations – flu, COVID, tetanus, and others 
• Chronic Disease Management – Education, medication management, non-narcotic pain management 
• Sick Visits and Emergency Care – Suture removal, cerumen extraction, wound incision and drainage 
• Mental Health – Virtual Visit, depression screen 
• Health Education, Health Navigation – SDOH screening, resource connections, care management, financial assistance discussions 
• Vital Signs and EKGs 
• Labs – Urine dipstick, FBS, A1c, phlebotomy 
• Referrals for Preventive Exams – mammography, colonoscopy, etc. 
• Tobacco Cessation Interventions