Mobile clinic working to fill gaps in rural healthcare, reaching residents of all ages

HEARNE, Texas (KBTX) – A federal grant has made a mobile clinic possible and it is currently making rounds in rural Brazos Valley communities to help fill gaps in healthcare.

Friday, the Texas A&M School of Nursing mobile clinic spent the day in Hearne making sure residents could access the care they need.

“The School of Nursing is very proud of what we do and we travel to six cities, five counties and we are out every week providing full Primary Care to these underserved communities,” Clinical Affairs Assistance Director, Elizabeth Ellis, said.

The group has teamed up with Central Texas school districts to park the van each visit to access residents. But, Ellis says they want to make sure people know it’s not just for the schools.

“Sometimes they think that we’re just here for the students, but we’re not we’re here for the entire community and anyone,” she said.

This care can be accessed in various ways. The mobile clinic takes walk-ins and appointments. Providers can provide primary care and address chronic conditions, give vaccines and do disease prevention, in addition to physicals and pre-sports checks. Plus, they are able to do at-home visits for care and telehealth when they’re not in town.

The unit is a groundbreaking operation, with faculty and students taking hands-on approaches to focusing on rural healthcare gaps.

“Whether it be nursing students or medical students or clinical health students or School of Public Health. Our purpose is to expose them to rural health so that they may become motivated to join our forces and help eliminate these shortage areas within Texas,” Ellis said.

The clinic schedule is below for operation hours from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. weekly.

Monday – Brenham Boys and Girls Club at 1600 E Tom Green St.

Tuesday – Leon ISD at 12168 Hwy. 79 W.

Wednesday – Burton ISD at 701 N RR St. (every other week)

Wednesday – Roundtop-Carmine Elementary School at 608 N. Washington St. (every other week)

Thursday – Iola ISD at 22875 FM 39

Friday – Hearne ISD 1210 Hackberry St.

To make an appointment or learn more information call (979) 436-0587. The mobile clinic also works to make stops at community events throughout the year. You can keep up with their Facebook here.