On a Roll
Clinic on Wheels Cares for Underserved Children

With more than 150,000 uninsured children in Harris County, the Harris County Hospital District Foundation and Ronald McDonald House Charities have joined forces to provide primary health care to medically underserved children in north Harris County. The Ronald McDonald CareMobile, a 40-foot, two-room clinic on wheels, operated by hospital district staff, provides free immunizations, health screenings, and hearing and vision screenings to children newborn to age 21, as well as health education for parents. The National Ronald McDonald House Charities donated the van to the hospital district’s foundation, with the goal of improving children’s health and providing continuity of care for children residing in medically underserved areas.

During the official launch and dedication ceremony June 22, children met Ronald McDonald while their parents were entertained by a mariachi band.

"A huge, unmet need exists in our community, with Harris County having one of the lowest immunization rates for children in the country," said John A. Guest, hospital district CEO."

The hospital district hopes to change this through the use of the mobile van, which will serve more than 1,500 children in the next year during visits to schools, religious institutions, apartment complexes, supermarkets and malls.

The National Ronald McDonald House Charities sponsors eight other CareMobile units throughout the country.

The hospital district’s foundation financially supports the hospital district’s mobile health program through two existing mobile units. The Ronald McDonald van brings the total to three.

The hospital district’s foundation was established in 1992 to supplement and enhance the broad health care mission of the Harris County Hospital District. To inquire about mobile unit site location or funding opportunities, call (713) 566-6409.

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©2006 Texas Medical Center

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