MCDOWELL, Ky. – A dream several years in the making has come to fruition with the recent launch of the ARH Mobile Clinic.

The clinic, which was made possible in large part by a $400,000 grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission, will travel throughout underserved areas in eastern Kentucky and southern West Virginia, providing essential services including primary care, health screenings, physical exams, chronic disease management, and education.

“It will allow us to reach those who maybe can’t make it to a brick-and-mortar office,” said ARH Big Sandy Region Clinic Administrator Tracie Kimbler. “Our goal is to assist those who have barriers in transportation and mobility.

“This is another important way for us to eliminate barriers and increase access to healthcare.”

ARH will share a schedule each month announcing the dates and locations where the clinic will set up for primary care services and educational/screening events.

Physician assistant Emily Hammonds, along with a medical assistant and clerk will travel with the clinic, which is handicapped accessible and features two exam rooms, a bathroom and a waiting area.

“If it’s easier for a patient to make it to the mobile clinic, they could establish care with Emily and then do follow-ups with her,” Kimbler said. “Then if they need more involved or specialty care, she can arrange for them to receive that, too.”

Plans for the mobile clinic were first announced in 2023, as the need for such a service was identified during the July 2022 eastern Kentucky flood.

ARH President and CEO Hollie Harris spoke of the importance of the clinic, which, in addition to primary care, will also provide essential services in the case of natural disasters.

“Many lessons were learned during the flood,” she said, during a joint announcement. “One of the most significant was that we must still be mindful of the fact that transportation continues to be a barrier for many of those living in the rural and often remote areas served by ARH and that there is a crucial need to make accessing medical care as convenient as possible for this population.

“ARH has a long history of meeting those we serve when and where they need it most, and this mobile clinic will help us continue that tradition.”

Kimbler said she is excited to see the clinic in action and encourages those in the ARH service area to take advantage of the services it provides.

“We’re so very happy to have the opportunity to better serve those who struggle with transportation or other barriers,” she said. “We encourage anyone who needs care or who has an issue, to come out. And obviously those who just want to see what it’s about are always welcome to stop by as well.”

***

The remaining August primary care stops for the ARH Mobile Clinic are as follows:

Aug. 14: IGA parking lot in Virgie. Ky.

Aug. 15: Wheelwright Senior Citizens Center in Wheelwright, Ky.

Aug. 19: IGA parking lot in Neon, Ky.

The mobile unit will also visit the following locations for outreach events:

Aug. 12: Big Sandy Community and Technical College in Prestonsburg, Ky.

Aug. 13: Hazard Community and Technical College, student orientation and screenings for staff and students in Hazard, Ky.

Aug. 23: Perry County Back-to-School Bash

Aug. 26-28: SOAR Summit in Corbin, Ky