LAKEPORT – Sutter Lakeside Hospital is preparing to launch its new Mobile Health Services Unit, which will make its long-awaited debut in a Thursday event.

The community is invited to come and see the new custom-made van, which will bring health services to a wide variety of people who have mobility and transportation challenges.

The launch party and ribbon cutting will take place from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19, at the Sutter Lakeside Hospital campus, 5176 Hill Road East in Lakeport.

Tammi Silva, Sutter Lakeside's public relations director, said the mobile unit cost $297,000, which was made possible through community contributions and a $100,000 matching grant from Sutter Health.

Silva said the project has been in the works since the fall of 2006.

American Custom Coach built the van over the past year. The company's owner, Charlie Mello – who will be at the Thursday event – worked with the hospital to design the unit and even donated $25,000 worth of solar panels that are being installed on the van's roof, Sutter Lakeside reported.

The solar equipment – the installation of which resulted in a slight delivery delay – will supplement the vehicle's generator and help reduce day-to-day operating costs, according to hospital officials.

On a yearly basis, the mobile unit is expected to serve approximately 1,000 people who have difficulty accessing health care, Silva said.

Services will include health screenings, from dental and basic vision to well child and developmental assessments; immunizations for all ages; education; referrals for primary care physicians, specialty and acute illness care, pregnancy testing and family planning, kindergarten roundup and wellness services; and social service referrals.

Tours of the unit will take place during the Thursday event from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., with an awards ceremony from 4 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and a ribbon cutting ceremony from 4:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The medical team responsible for developing the clinical program and the medical professionals who will provide the care to patients will be in attendance, Sutter Lakeside Hospital reported.

 

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