Posted: 12/03/04
Mobile medical clinic will meet
healthcare needs in southern San Antonio
SAN ANTONIO–Baptist Child & Family Services, in partnership with Baptist Hospital System's Southeast Baptist Hospital, has moved to meet an urgent need on San Antonio's South Side.
A $250,000 mobile medical clinic will take medical care to people in some of San Antonio's neediest communities early in January 2005. The 45-foot vehicle will make prenatal and postnatal care available to women and children in southeast Bexar County and parts of Wilson County.
“The mobile medical clinic will make a daily improvement to the health of women and children in neighborhoods where the greatest need for this charitable care exists for free prenatal care, well-baby checkups and other clinic services,” said Kevin Dinnin, president and chief executive officer of Baptist Child & Family Services. “We are very pleased that Southeast Baptist Hospital has agreed to provide the clinical support for the mobile health unit.”
Southeast Baptist Hospital CEO Rick Marsh sees the mobile health unit as an extension of the hospital.
“The mobile medical clinic allows us to expand our reach into the community we serve, bringing vital prenatal care to moms who might not otherwise even see a doctor during their entire pregnancy” said Marsh. “So we are excited to be a part of such a wonderful community resource.”
Funds to purchase the mobile medical clinic were made possible due to a donation by members of the Baptist Health Services Foundation's associates council.
The council designated the proceeds of their annual Candlelight Ball this year to fund the mobile clinic. In support of the foundation's vision, Baptist Health System pledged a $100,000 sponsorship of the gala.
"We are familiar with the many healthcare needs in our community, and in keeping with our mission statement of strengthening and perpetuating not-for-profit healthcare, we were excited to be able to donate the proceeds of the Candlelight Ball for the mobile health unit," noted Nancy Torgerson, chairman of the associates council. "We felt privileged to partner with the BCFS, having seen their success in helping people live healthier lives, and to play a part in such an important gift to San Antonio."
“This gift demonstrates the best kind of caring,” Dinnin added. “The associates council members who selected this project have a deep sense of the value of reaching out to help others–a sense that is rooted in the Judeo-Christian values that guide their organization.
“BCFS operates a similar unit in the Laredo area, so we have seen how this kind of mobile medical unit has improved the health of women and children in rural South Texas. Now the people of San Antonio will see how a mobile clinic can improve the health of families right here in our back yard.”
George Gaston, vice president of ministry for Baptist Health System, said the clinic fulfills the system's mission of healing, teaching and Christian service.
“As a hospital system, we work to improve people's health in our five hospitals every day,” he said.
“But as a faith-based institution, that alone is not enough. We felt called to make this substantial gift to help enable the foundation and Baptist Child & Family Services to continue their not-for-profit missions of improving health.”
The clinic will be equipped with two complete examination rooms, an intake reception area, a laboratory, and a TV/VCR for educational purposes.
It will be available on certain days in a set location and will travel on other days.
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