Wellness on Wheels
From city streets to rural communities, mobile healthcare units are breaking down barriers to deliver life-changing services straight to the people who need them most. Whether offering preventative screenings, therapies, or other social services, these innovative programs are meeting patients where they live, work, and play. Here, we highlight three mobile units in the area that are transforming the way communities are served.
Hamilton County Health & Social Services
With a desire to meet residents where they are, and a mission to assure a healthy community, the Health & Social Services Division launched their mobile health unit in October of 2024.
“The mobile unit is all about convenience for the community,” says Kim Hodge, mobile unit manager. “We work diligently to strategically park the unit in high-traffic areas, making it not only easy to access our services but also convenient for you and your family.”
Serving the entirety of Hamilton County, including those with an inability to pay, the mobile unit offers a variety of services, including health screenings, immunizations, STI testing and treatment, family planning services, and much more.
The unit currently operates five days a week at various locations throughout the area, with a full list of locations on the events calendar on the department’s website. To schedule an appointment, patients can call 423-209-5525.
“All appointments in the mobile unit are confidential, and the unit is equipped with a fully functioning exam room to ensure that patients’ needs are met,” adds Hodge. “During the appointment, our dedicated staff will diligently attend to the patient’s needs and thoroughly respond to any inquiries or required referrals.”
In addition to strategically placing the units in rural areas of the county, the mobile unit’s healthcare providers take time to sit down with patients to better understand the full scope of their issues – including specific needs, unique challenges, and any questions the patient may have.
“This ensures that we are not just checking off boxes but also addressing their broader needs and referring them to affordable, equitable providers within the community,” explains Hodge.
Looking ahead, Hodge notes that the future of the mobile unit looks bright, with patients offering overwhelmingly positive feedback about the care they’ve received.
“This is an exciting time in healthcare, and we are eager to expand the mobile unit to new locations and establish new partnerships,” finishes Hodge. “The health and well-being of our community drives the operation of this mobile unit, and we are committed to doing everything we can to ensure that our community remains safe and healthy.”
CHI Memorial
For more than 20 years, CHI Memorial’s mobile mammography coaches have been hitting the road to offer screening mammograms to women ages 35 and older.
“Local and hospital leaders identified barriers that were preventing women in Chattanooga and the surrounding areas from getting their mammograms,” says Brittany Hennessee, market director of breast services. “One of the major barriers was access, so we decided to take the screening mammogram to them.”
With a mission to break down the barriers that keep patients from taking care of their health, CHI Memorial prioritizes being present and accessible at convenient locations across the region.
“Working women can take off for their spouse’s or children’s health appointments but often neglect their own appointments to accommodate this,” adds Hennessee. “That’s why we believe eliminating the barrier of access by providing screening mammography at some of the largest employers in the area is so important. Women simply come out to the coach on their break without having to take time off work.”
There are two main ways patients can access these mobile services, according to Hennessee. An employer or a community organization – such as a church or health department – can schedule the mobile mammography coach to come to their facility, or patients can call the breast center at 423-495-4040 and ask when the mammography coach will be in their area.
“If mobile units such as ours didn’t exist, there is a very high probability that women would either skip multiple years or not get screened at all,” says Hennessee. “This equates to a later-stage diagnosis and, oftentimes, decreased options for treatment.”
Today, these 40-foot mobile coaches serve patients in 28 counties across Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama. On the road four to six days a week, with one to two stops daily, each coach is equipped with the same advanced digital technology as the Mary-Ellen Locher Breast Center locations.
“My prayer is that we continue to expand our services to underserved areas so that everyone in Chattanooga and the surrounding areas has access to adequate healthcare, regardless of their location or ability to pay,” finishes Hennessee.
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
While aging well can be difficult for all individuals, older adults living in rural areas are uniquely challenged due to a lack of access to healthcare and other social services, says Kristina C. Wick, DNP, FNP-BC, GS-C, who serves as Vicky B. Gregg chair of gerontology and UC Foundation associate professor at the University of
Tennessee at Chattanooga.
“UTC’s School of Nursing has long prioritized advancing the care of older adults and caregivers, along with recognizing the need for building an infrastructure for age- and dementia-friendly communities,” continues Wick.
In 2023, the school was able to put their vision to life when they received a $2.6 million grant to create an innovative model of care for members of this population living in rural Southeast Tennessee. Thus, the interprofessional Mobile Medical Outreach Clinic – or MobileMOC – was born.
“MobileMOC offers an array of services ranging from primary care to social support,” shares Wick. “Our interprofessional team uses the 4Ms approach for Age-Friendly Health Care to determine ‘What Matters Most’ to each client along with evaluating medications, mobility, and memory.”
With a wide array of professionals on board, the
MobileMOC team offers services regarding nutrition, public health, social work, occupational therapy, music therapy, and nursing.
“This approach allows for a person-centered plan of care to maximize function, quality of life, and promote aging in place,” adds Wick. “The MobileMOC team primarily serves older adults (ages 62 and up) and caregivers; however, adults ages 18 and older can be seen as the schedule allows.”
Patients without appointments can be seen on a first-come, first-serve basis, but appointments are preferred and can be scheduled by calling 423-425-1675 or in person at community events. MobileMOC visits a different location each day, serving a roughly 60-mile radius.
With a mission to bring healthcare directly to where patients live, work, and play, the MobileMOC team strives to create a foundation for healthier, stronger communities.
“By building relationships and trust, we can serve entire communities who do not have access to basic services due to their geography and zip code,” finishes Wick. “The ultimate reward for our team is seeing our clients move past their health challenges, allowing them to thrive and age in place. Healthier individuals build healthy communities and ultimately, a healthier Tennessee.”
Meet the Author
Ali Lemmons, BS, Summa Cum Laude
Ali Lemmons is a graduate of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication with a minor in computer science. While at UTC, Ali also earned the distinction of Summa Cum Laude, the Outstanding Senior Award for the communication department, and was inducted into the Kappa Tau Alpha honor society. Now, as editor/digital content specialist for CMC Publications and Digital Smart Marketing, Ali leads the ideation, conceptualization, and development of numerous health, wellness, and lifestyle articles published in print and online for HealthScope, CityScope, and Choose Chattanooga magazines – premier publications serving S.E. Tennessee and North Georgia. She also is the lead copywriter for the company’s social media sites.
