UF Health unveiled the latest addition to its fleet of specialized mobile outreach vehicles on Wednesday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new 40-foot-long OB/GYN Mobile Outreach bus.
The vehicle aims to support the health and well-being of people who face barriers to accessing gynecologic and maternal care.
According to a UF Health press release, the UF Health OB/GYN Mobile Outreach Program is a collaboration between the UF Mobile Outreach Clinic and the UF College of Medicine’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. The new mobile program will primarily serve communities in Alachua and the surrounding counties and will help bridge the gap for patients who may struggle to access gynecologic and maternal care.
“This vehicle will be traveling throughout our region to expand access to these services for people and communities throughout the region,” said Dr. Jennifer Hunt, UF College of Medicine interim dean and the Folke H. Peterson Dean’s Distinguished Professor, in the press release. “This will include prenatal care, postpartum care, and annual and preventive exams. We’ll be able to meet patients where they live, which is pretty spectacular.”
Inside, the bus features a waiting area, two exam rooms, lab space and a wheelchair lift. It is equipped to deliver care to everyone — regardless of insurance status or ability to pay.
“This mobile unit will serve as a lifeline for communities that face significant barriers to health care; it is a testament to the commitment and innovation of UF Health, the College of Medicine and the College of Nursing,” said Dr. Shakira Henderson, UF College of Nursing dean and UF Health system chief nurse executive, in the press release. “My passion for women’s health has always driven me to seek innovative ways to serve women, and therefore the OB/GYN mobile unit is extremely dear to my heart.”
The new vehicle will not only address the physical distance that makes accessing care challenging for residents in many communities but also breaks down other barriers, like financial ones, that often prevent people from seeking care, Henderson said.
The UF Health OB/GYN Mobile Outreach vehicle schedule can be found online, showing all upcoming dates and locations.