During a humid Tuesday in Wheaton, the WellTogether mobile clinic kicked off an initiative organizers hope can be replicated in communities across Montgomery County.
The event brought together local health and community organizations to provide free health screenings, information and resources aimed at connecting residents with preventive care services close to where they live.
“I’ve seen a variety of services, like blood draws for the A1C, cholesterol checkups and health information,” said Maria Villarroell, a retired Gaithersburg resident.
Villarroell traveled to Wheaton with her family after learning about the event through her church. She said programs like the mobile clinic can help residents prioritize their health.
“Definitely. I would really recommend the immigrant community to participate more in these programs because we think immigrants work day and night, but we do not think about health in the long term,” she said.
The event marked the official launch of WellTogether in the county, a nonprofit organization focused on bringing health outreach, education and screenings directly into neighborhoods through partnerships with local organizations.
“This is our inauguration, the kickoff of WellTogether, so we’re very excited to bring it to Wheaton and to Montgomery County,” said Mercedita Roxas-Murray co-founder of WellTogether.
Roxas-Murray said many residents are hesitant to seek health services because they do not fully understand the purpose of screenings or worry about how their information will be used.
“A lot of times people don’t understand what blood screenings can tell them,” she said. “We really want to make sure they feel comfortable, safe and secure so they can understand their health and the next steps for care they might need.”
She emphasized that preventive care can help residents address health concerns before they become emergencies.
“If you don’t get a health checkup, you’re destined to be going to emergency services,” Roxas-Murray said. “The more people have preventative care, the better it is for themselves, their families and the community.”
Councilmember At-Large Laurie-Anne Sayles visited the event and said mobile health programs help reach residents who may face barriers to accessing care.
“We want to ensure that we are meeting residents where they are,” Sayles said. She added that local governments face financial challenges after state, federal and healthcare funding changes, but expanding access to community-based services remains important.
Mauricio Vásquez, executive director of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, said cultural, financial and security concerns can discourage some residents from seeking healthcare.
“By bringing mobile health services to the community, it’s going to help address some of those concerns,” Vásquez said. “It’s going to provide trust and services right next to their doors.”
The mobile clinic program is currently seeking grant funding, and Tom Bever, director of WellTogether, said he hopes the successful launch in Wheaton will help build new partnerships and secure additional support to expand services throughout Montgomery County.
