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��«Ӱҵ’s HealthWise Mobile Health Clinic, a leading regional community health provider, will increase its outreach to medically underserved residents, thanks to a $500,000 State of Ohio capital budget allocation.

With the funding, HealthWise, the clinical arm of the Raabe College of Pharmacy, acquired two brand-new mobile health clinics to replace its original, 10-year-old unit. This enhanced fleet of HealthWise Mobile Health Clinics will hit the road in August, bringing expanded healthcare services to residents of Hardin and surrounding counties.

“We are a private university working for the public good,” said ��«Ӱҵ President Melissa J. Baumann, Ph.D. “Our mobile health clinic is a centerpiece of that public mission. The clinic meets community members where they are to provide critical primary care services to a medically underserved region.”

A dedication ceremony for the new mobile clinics took place on Thursday, July 31, on ��«Ӱҵ’s campus. Ohio Senate President Rob McColley, former State Representative Jon Cross, and State Representative Ty Mathews joined the celebration. U.S. Senators Jon Husted and Bernie Moreno sent representatives from their offices to present proclamations.

McColley praised ��«Ӱҵ for the excellence of its academic programs and its dedication to delivering essential healthcare services to families in rural areas. “That’s something for ��«Ӱҵ to be proud of,” he said. “It highlights the value of what our institutions of higher education bring to the state of Ohio, and how they can partner to address many of the public issues we’re facing.”

Mathews recognized McColley and Cross for their efforts in securing the funding for the mobile clinics. He also commended ��«Ӱҵ’s innovative response to the shortage of local pharmacies and healthcare providers. “This school stepped up, and we are so blessed to not only have your efforts here at this location, but now the mobile clinics,” he said.

Cross acknowledged ��«Ӱҵ’s role in serving a rural region of Ohio considered a ‘pharmacy desert.’  “We are uniquely blessed to have a university that not only teaches, does research, but does their civic duty to help people with medical needs,” he said.

��«Ӱҵ’s first unit, a 37-foot clinic, features two exam rooms and a multipurpose room used for reception, laboratory services, and additional patient care. It is fully equipped to support comprehensive clinical services, including diagnostics, screenings, and point-of-care testing.

The second unit is a compact, 25-foot clinic. It offers a two-room layout, including one exam room and a multipurpose room that functions as a reception and lab/patient care area. This unit is ideal for smaller sites and focused outreach events.

Both units are powered by onboard generators and outfitted with medical-grade equipment and furnishings to support interdisciplinary care. 

The ��«Ӱҵ HealthWise mobile clinic operations are part of Ohio’s Charitable Health Network and also receive support from Mercy Health-St. Rita’s Medical Center and Marathon. The mobile clinics create opportunities for student pharmacists to experience pharmacist-led services in the community and are always staffed by pharmacy faculty. Some sites also have internal medicine resident physicians from Mercy Health-St. Rita’s join to create a multi-disciplinary approach to care.

The clinics travel weekly to churches, schools, and other community organizations in Hardin, Allen, Hancock, Wyandot, and Auglaize counties, providing care to residents who may face transportation or other access barriers.

“Our goal is to provide knowledge and resources to address health-related concerns and empower individuals to improve their health,” said Michael Rush, PharmD ’05, director of ��«Ӱҵ HealthWise programs and assistant clinical professor of pharmacy practice.

The HealthWise Mobile Clinics offer primary care services, including management of chronic diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and behavioral health. Patients may receive cholesterol or osteoporosis screenings, vaccinations, or help to stop smoking. Full physical exams are offered and clinic patients can schedule appointments and follow-ups for chronic conditions. 

Mobile clinic services can be combined with medication dispensing and delivery from ��«Ӱҵ HealthWise pharmacy and telemedicine follow-up through the ��«Ӱҵ HealthWise Patient Services Center, creating a comprehensive primary care approach. Referrals are placed to local hospitals when necessary. 

The mobile clinics offer a dynamic learning environment for ��«Ӱҵ students. Future pharmacists can apply information from the classroom directly to patients that may otherwise not receive care, allowing them to see firsthand the impact a trusted healthcare professional can have on a person. 

“Pharmacists are the most accessible, yet underutilized healthcare practitioner. The expansion of our mobile clinics combined with our other HealthWise programs allows us to show our students a more comprehensive way to practice pharmacy in our community,” said Stuart Beatty, PharmD ’03, dean of the Raabe College of Pharmacy. 

He added, “With these new clinics, ��«Ӱҵ reaffirms its commitment to community engagement, health equity, and the preparation of skilled, compassionate healthcare professionals.”