Health Profession's students provide care to community with mobile health bus
Mobile Health Central sits outside the College of Health Professions on CMU and You Day
As technology evolves Health Profession's students are finding new ways to get experience in the field including using the Mobile Health Center, a 39 feet in length bus full of health equipment.
This vehicle includes a sound proof booth for hearing/audiology testing, an exam table and more to provide access to high-quality health care around the state. Mobile Health Central is the first of it's kind in Michigan and will be used to travel to rural and undeserved areas around the state.
"There is a high demand for medical assessments in these areas," said Director of the Health Professions Residential College Pat Cwiek. "The college is looking to use it as a mobil health clinic where upperclassmen and medical students will work with professionals to perform hearing and speech screenings, as well as medical tasks like taking blood pressure."
The vehicle will also serve as a way for students to research, educate the community about preventative health, and recruit prospective students into coming to Central Michigan University. The bus has already been on the road partnering with The Lion's Club in Harrison and the Special Olympics to provide hearing screenings.
Mobile Health Central was made possible due to a 500,000 dollar grant given by the Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation in Midland. The grant completely funded the creation of the bus and a few community outreach visits.
"The bus was also meant to be a teaching opportunity for students," Cwiek said. "It's currently geared more towards graduate students because younger students don't have the experience to work with this equipment yet. It's also very difficult to put it in constant motion due to the costs of upkeep and transportation."
The goal is to improve health quality within the community by reaching out and giving people access to health care where they wouldn't normally be able to receive it. By working with undergraduate and graduate students, faculty and leaders within the community Mobile Health Central will be closing the gaps on health care access.
