UToledo Health will host an open house event Thursday, Sept. 12, to introduce the community to its new mobile health unit.
The event, which is open to the public, will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Wolf Creek YMCA, located at 2100 S. Holland Sylvania Road in Maumee. Attendees will have an opportunity to hear from UToledo Health leaders, tour the vehicle and learn more about the services it offers.
The open house is informational only. No health screening services will be available during the event.
Kim Steele, lead nurse for the UToledo Health mobile health unit, sets up ahead of a screening event.
“This mobile health unit allows us to reach deeper into our community as we work to improve access to high-quality care across northwest Ohio,” said Dr. Michael Ellis, chief medical officer at The University of Toledo Medical Center. “The importance of preventative health screenings cannot be overstated, and we’re excited to able to offer those services in a new and convenient way.”
Ellis will be joined at the open house event by Greg LaManna, president of Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicaid. Anthem is the corporate sponsor of the UToledo Health mobile health unit.
“Preventative care is essential for maintaining good health and preventing serious illnesses,” LaManna said. “Everyone deserves access to quality healthcare, regardless of where they live. This mobile clinic will expand access to these essential services, positively impacting the Toledo community, and we’re thrilled to play a part.”
The 37-foot-long custom-built clinic has two exam rooms, a restroom and a small waiting room on board, and is equipped to test cholesterol, blood glucose and A1C levels via a simple finger prick. Staff also will provide blood pressure checks, health education and can help connect patients with a UToledo Health primary care provider for follow up if they don’t have an existing relationship with one.
“The things we’re screening for — hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes — can be present for years without causing noticeable symptoms, but they can cause real damage and put your health at risk,” said Kimberly Steele, the mobile clinic’s lead nurse. “We want to remove barriers that prevent people from getting screened and help improve the health of our community.”
All preventative health screening services are free and there’s no need for insurance. Results of the blood tests are available in about 10 minutes.
“This really is a great way for people to get important information about their health in a relaxed setting that’s right in their own backyard,” Steele said. “It’s informal, it’s easy and we get you in and out quickly. We’re really excited to be able to provide this service to the community.”
UToledo Health already has established a regular rotation for the mobile clinic to visit six separate Toledo Lucas County Public Library branches two times a month. Work is underway to establish a similar schedule with the YMCA of Greater Toledo.
Though currently focused on preventative screenings, UToledo Health expects to add additional services — such as providing mobile vaccination clinics, primary care related services and testing for sexually transmitted infections — in the future based on community needs.
A full schedule of mobile unit screening events is available on the UToledo Health mobile clinic website.
