Medical Coaches’ Health Screening Clinic Serves Maine Veterans

ONEONTA, New York – A giant American flag, along with the symbols of each branch of the American Military, adorn the sides of this impressive 53’ Mobile Health Screening Clinic for the Department of Veterans Affairs in Maine.  It is one of the very first Mobile Health Screening Clinics of this size to be built in the United States and proudly serves the Veterans of Maine.
The Office of Rural Health in the Department of Veterans Affairs awarded the State of Maine a Federal grant to custom build a 53’ trailer with a 38’ expandable side area to operate as an outreach health care clinic. “The three-year grant funds $600,000 each year for the operation of the Mobile Health Screening Clinic, which provides primary care, mental health, and lab services to Veterans on a rotating basis in Bingham, Jackman, Greenville, and Dover-Foxcroft…”.*

Jim Doherty, a VA spokesman, said recently, “The Mobile Health Clinic is a pilot project that will be monitored by not only the State but also the Federal government.”  He noted, "We're continuing to reach out and provide quality health care to Veterans in their local communities, trying to make it convenient for them, and that's what we're looking forward to with this.”*

“This is great,” said Clayton Lancaster of the spacious and bright mobile health care clinic … “I used to have to drive clear to Bangor [for medical care].  Now I can get my prescriptions and stuff a lot earlier than going to Bangor to straighten things out.  It saves me about four trips to Bangor a year.”*

The Mobile Health Screening Clinic has a mental health screening room, a modern bathroom, blood drawing room with refrigerator and microwave, a full reception area, and two large exam areas with custom-built cabinetry throughout the vehicle.  The coach also comes equipped with a satellite system that can transmit electronic medical records directly back to the VA no matter where they are in the country.  A wheelchair lift is also included for those Veterans who cannot make it up the stairs. 

The Mobile Health Screening Clinic was designed and built using all-aluminum material to prevent rust and corrosion (a real challenge in Maine).  The aluminum sides are bonded together using a special epoxy agent, instead of using rivets, which is the same as that used to hold together the Space Shuttle, luxury yachts, airliners, and Formula One race cars.  This bonding method allows for a much stronger and lighter-weight mobile unit which has a smooth surface and will last for years to come.

Per Jim Doherty, “The mobile unit has a video system by which Veterans can talk to a psychiatrist for medication purposes, and the mobile unit is expected to serve about 800 Veterans in four locations throughout Maine.”*

Medical Coaches Inc. (est. 1949) is a privately held, highly specialized manufacturer of custom mobile units Certified to ISO 9001 standards.  They have delivered thousands of mobile units to 110 countries and all 50 States, specializing in MRI, PET/CT, CT, Mammography, Dental, Television, Health Screening, etc.  We are certified to work with all major manufacturers (Siemens, General Electric, and Philips). 

For more information about Medical Coaches’ products and services visit their website, www.medcoach.com; call 607/432-1333, Ext. 125; or email csmith@medcoach.com.

*Bangor Daily. 2009. Maine launches mobile health clinics for veterans, November 10, Page 1

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