Additional unit expands access to quality, compassionate care for rural and underserved communities
West Virginia Press Association
PARKERSBURG, W.Va. — Coplin Health Systems has expanded its commitment to make quality healthcare accessible to everyone in the communities it serves with the addition of a second mobile health unit.
By adding the second unit, Coplin can reach more individuals and families facing barriers to traditional healthcare. These include those without reliable transportation, those who may struggle to leave their neighborhood due to work, caregiving responsibilities, or other challenges, and anyone for whom traveling to a clinic can prove difficult.
The second unit, purchased and operated through an HRSA Behavioral Health Expansion grant, complements Coplin’s mobile health initiative, which it launched earlier this year with the introduction of its first mobile unit. As the new unit is smaller in size, it can reach communities where parking, space, or road access are limited.
The new mobile unit will serve patients of all ages and will prioritize providing medical and behavioral health services. The unit’s behavioral health room is equipped with child-friendly supplies and adult-sized furniture to accommodate services for the entire family.
Staffing the unit are experienced medical professionals and a dedicated community health professional who can connect patients to care and additional services that address social factors that affect health, including transportation, housing, food access, and education.
As needed, the unit will visit schools in the region, including a regular stop on Mondays at Fort Frye School District in Beverly, Ohio.
By deploying the mobile unit to support local schools, Coplin provides on-site care that helps children address acute health issues quickly, so they can remain in the classroom rather than miss valuable learning time due to illness.
The new unit will also serve community hubs such as St. Francis Xavier Parish Hall in Parkersburg, where healthcare can be integrated with other community support services.
Patients can schedule an appointment to be seen on one of the mobile units by calling Coplin’s mobile health line at 304-440-5150.
In September, a team from Coplin completed the three-day Mission Mobile Medical Operator Certification training, which equipped them to lead the day-to-day operation of Coplin’s mobile units and to safely drive, set up, and maintain the mobile unit with confidence and care.
Completing the certification training were Tom Freeland, Clinical Software Coordinator, Sarah Cassedy, Director of Behavioral Health, Kenna Wagner, Family Nurse Practitioner, and Dr. Darrin Nichols, Chief Medical Officer.
As Coplin continues to grow and expand its mobile health services, the staff members certified through Mission Mobile Medical will be able to help develop internal processes to train additional staff in-house.
“We are excited to grow our mobile health services with the addition of this new unit,” said Darrin Nichols, Chief Medical Officer, Coplin Health Systems. “We’re now better able to bring compassionate, integrated health services directly to people who might otherwise struggle to access care. Through our mobile health services, we can help keep them healthy, supported, and connected to the resources they need.”
To access the upcoming location schedule for Coplin Health Services’ mobile units, visit www.coplinhealth.com/events/.
About Coplin Health Systems
In 1978, Wirt County Health Services Association (d.b.a. Coplin Health Systems) was established as a non-profit healthcare organization. Since our beginnings in Elizabeth, WV, we have grown into 13 service centers, an administrative center, and a mobile health unit with locations in Wirt County, Jackson County, and Wood County in West Virginia, and Meigs County in Ohio.
For over two decades, Coplin has served as a federally qualified health center (FQHC). As an FQHC, Coplin Health Systems offers a variety of healthcare services to the community. These healthcare services include primary care services, acute/urgent care services, pediatric healthcare services, behavioral health services, SUDs services, dental services, and discount pharmacy through 340B programming. As an FQHC, Coplin Health Systems offers these services regardless of a person’s ability to pay through our sliding scale program. Coplin Health Systems exists to serve the health and wellness needs of our communities. Visit www.coplinhealth.com to learn more.
Image courtesy of Coplin Health Systems
