The County has officially launched a new initiative elected leaders and community members say will help expand health care in underserved neighborhoods.
Last Thursday, County Executive Marc Elrich, representatives from the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), and other County leaders were on hand at the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the Mobile Health Clinic. The ceremony took place in Poolesville, an area of the County that is in need of medical services.
Changing People’s Lives
Christopher Rogers is the Policy and Strategy Officer with the Public Health Services Division in DHHS. He told MCM, “The Mobile Health Clinic is a transformative step toward advancing health equity in Montgomery County-one of the most diverse counties in Maryland. Despite the County’s many strengths, we continue to see disparities in health outcomes, particularly among uninsured and under-resourced communities.”
Rogers said the Mobile Health Clinic will meet people where they are and provide essential medical, dental, and behavioral health services directly in neighborhoods that face barriers to care. Elrich echoed those sentiments.
“We are focused on delivering community-based care. That means serving a range of critical health services beyond just medical and dental. This clinic will offer behavioral health and preventative screenings. The van has Wi-Fi to access medical records in remote areas and specialized equipment like an X-ray machine. The vehicle also serves as a resource for social services information, connections to follow-up care, and health education,” Elrich said.
Van’s Features
The Mobile Health Clinic is a large van that features a dental room and a medical room. It also has private space for mental health and social work counseling. The clinic has on staff a Nurse Practitioner, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, a Community Health Nurse, a Dentist, a Dental Hygienist, a Dental Assistant, a Medical Assistant, and bilingual Community Health Workers. Residents can get a routine physical exam, and starting in July, expanded dental checkups. Those checkups can include cleanings, X-rays, extractions, fillings, and even endodontic procedures.
Serving People Without Access to Health Care
County Councilmember Marilyn Balcombe (D-District 2) told MCM the Mobile Health Clinic is “a game changer”.
She has lived Upcounty for more than 30 years. She told MCM there is only one physician’s office in Poolesville, and it cannot serve the entire community.
“I represent two thirds of the Ag Reserve and so geographically it’s a huge space. People don’t think about what happens if you don’t have a vehicle and live out there. They don’t take into consideration the farm workers who don’t have transportation and may not have health insurance. We have a large community that does not have access to health care,” Balcombe said.
Bringing Health Care to Where People Live
While the official ribbon-cutting was last week, the Mobile Health Clinic began its work earlier this year and Rogers estimates the staff already has seen about 1,600 people. County leaders say they expect to greatly expand its patient population in the coming year and provide access to essential health services regardless of where people live or their current circumstance.
“The Mobile Health Clinic is designed to reduce barriers to care especially for individuals who face challenges like lack of insurance, limited transportation, language barriers, or the high cost of services. By bringing comprehensive medical, mental health, and dental care directly into neighborhoods, the clinic helps ensure that people who might otherwise delay or forgo treatment can access the services they need to stay healthy,” Rogers told MCM.
“The clinic offers not just care but connection. The Mobile Health Clinic is more than just a vehicle. It’s a gateway to better health and stronger communities,” Rogers said.
The van initially cost the County $433,000 to procure and build. Its operating cost is more than $170,000 per fiscal year. Rogers said The Mobile Health Clinic is a long-term investment in community health.
“We’ve already scheduled service dates into next year because we’re committed to being a consistent and trusted presence in the communities we serve. The early demand and positive feedback reinforce that this is not a temporary initiative but a sustainable program aimed at reducing health disparities and improving access to care across Montgomery County,” Rogers explained.
Outreach Planned
The County will conduct outreach to let people in various communities know about the Mobile Health Clinic. It will tap into its partnerships with local nonprofits, schools, and faith-based organizations. One nonprofit, Western Upper Montgomery County Help, Inc. (WUMCO) will provide assistance when the Mobile Health Clinic offers service in Poolesville. The van will park outside WUMCO’s headquarters at 17821 Elgin Road. The headquarters will serve as a waiting room for patients.
Hughes United Methodist Church in Wheaton, Harvest Intercontinental Church in Olney, and the Community Hope Center at Seneca Creek Community Church in Gaithersburg will serve similar roles when the Mobile Health Clinic comes to their communities.
Rogers said he wants the community to know the Mobile Health Clinic will focus on integrated, whole-person care.
“By combining medical, dental, and behavioral health under one roof-on wheels-we’re addressing the full spectrum of a person’s health needs. This model reduces stigma, increases access, and brings essential care directly into neighborhoods that need it the most,” Rogers explained.
Councilmember Balcombe said she is extraordinarily proud the County has launched this program especially for the people she represents.
“I was thrilled the ribbon-cutting was in Poolesville. It is a population that has been from a medical perspective underserved and it’s not a population that most people think about,” Balcombe explained.
More Information
To find out when the Mobile Health Clinic will be in your neighborhood, go to their web page.
