JACKSON, Tenn. — A new mobile care unit is headed to rural West Tennessee, Le Bonheur Children's said. The donor-funded clinic brings care straight to children in their own towns. The program covers Dyer County and eight other rural counties nearby.
The custom mobile unit, fabrications and equipment cost $750,000, the hospital said. Four donor groups funded the project. Supporters include Ford Philanthropy, Tim and Michelle Castellaw, The Cox Family Charitable Foundation and the Community Foundation of West Tennessee.
The unit visits local schools during the school year to meet children where they live, Le Bonheur said. Care is free for families. Services include checkups, acute care, sports physicals, developmental and behavioral assessments and medical and social service referrals.
The program serves nine rural counties, the hospital said. They include Dyer, Crockett, Decatur, Gibson, Haywood, Lauderdale, McNairy, Obion and Tipton.
"For kids in rural communities, transportation and distance can be barriers to healthcare," said Dr. Trey Eubanks, president of Le Bonheur Children's. "By taking care directly to schools, we remove those obstacles and help ensure every child has the opportunity to grow up healthy and strong."
The mobile clinic has connected kids to care since 2005, Le Bonheur said. It serves towns that lack easy access to a doctor. The new unit will keep that work going so children do not have to travel far for care.