The Tift Regional Medical Center (TRMC) Foundation held a ribbon-cutting ceremony and open-house event in Tifton on April 18 to unveil a new mobile health clinic.  This six-wheeled unit, about the size of a bus, will be used by Tift Regional Health System (TRHS) to better reach medically-underserved areas within the community.
 
“Former hospital board chairman John Prince issued a fundraising challenge to all of our local physicians,” said Mandy Brooks, TRMC Foundation Executive Director.  “Mr. Prince stated he would match the dollars raised by area doctors for this mobile clinic project.  Our providers really rose to the occasion with their generous contributions.”
 
Brooks said the mobile clinic was purchased by the TRMC Foundation as a result of the monies raised by Prince’s physician dollar-for-dollar challenge as well as funds generated by the foundation’s annual Hearts and Diamonds Gala.  “We are so grateful to Mr. Prince, our physicians and our Hearts and Diamonds Gala patrons,” she said.  “They made this vision a reality.”
 
Dr. Cameron Nixon, TRHS Chief Transformation Officer, said the services of the new mobile health clinic will include sick and well visits, screenings, education, and referrals to specialty care.  
 
“Due to socioeconomic and transportation issues, many families in our service area don’t have adequate access to healthcare,” said Dr. Nixon.   “With this new mobile health clinic, we’ll be able to bring the medical services to them.  It will really help TRHS fulfill its mission to enhance the health and wellness of our community.”
 
Dr. Nixon said the mobile health clinic is wheelchair-accessible and includes three exam rooms, a lab area and restroom.  “This unit will be staffed by the providers with Tift Community Health Center, our community clinic based in Tifton,” he said.
 
Jill Bergeron, Practice Manager of Tift Community Health Center, said the mobile health clinic will be stationed at various areas in the community which are identified as medically-underserved.  
 
“Through social media, flyers, print advertising, news releases, speaking engagements and other communications, we will notify the various neighborhoods where the unit will be located and the hours of operation,” she said.  “We will also work with local resources, such as churches, to help us spread the word.  Walk-in patients will be accepted and no appointments will be necessary.  We are currently developing a calendar schedule with a plan to go operational in June.”
 
The ribbon-cutting and open-house event for the mobile health clinic was held in Tifton at the Tift Regional Community Events Center, next to the Tiftarea YMCA on South Carpenter Road.  The function was held in conjunction with the Tifton-Tift County Chamber of Commerce.