Presbyterian Healthcare Services has grown its mobile health fleet in New Mexico from one vehicle to three. The health system launched two new mobile health centers, both built by Mission Mobile Medical. The Albuquerque Journal reported on the announcement.
Each new unit is about 30 feet long and began as a recreational vehicle before being refurbished over eight months. One is based in Albuquerque and will serve central and northern New Mexico. The other is based in Las Cruces and will serve southern New Mexico. Presbyterian’s original Albuquerque clinic, which has served Española for the past year, will now remain there permanently.
Jess Sanchez-Lujan, director of Presbyterian’s Health Plan Place and Mobile Health Center programs, described the search for the vehicles. “We did a lot of research on mobile medical vehicles and this company kept coming up time and time again,” Sanchez-Lujan told the Journal. Sanchez-Lujan also pointed to Mission Mobile Medical’s resources and experience with rural healthcare.
Sanchez-Lujan also discussed how the units would handle New Mexico roads. “Their shock suspensions and things of that nature are specially designed for areas like Peñasco in New Mexico, so that if you have to head there through Taos and you’re curving the mountain, we’re in safe hands,” Sanchez-Lujan said.
The clinics will operate Tuesday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Each is expected to serve 21 patients a day. Services include annual child wellness visits, child immunizations, primary and acute care, and health screenings. Each van will be staffed by a driver, program coordinator, clinician, registered nurse, and medical assistant.
Heather Thiltgen, president of Presbyterian Health Plan, said, “The main purpose of our mobile health fleet is to allow Presbyterian … to bring care to communities where distance, transportation or limited local resources can make accessing healthcare services more difficult.” Presbyterian leads the program and will use the units to bring services closer to the communities it serves. Mission Mobile Medical built the two new vehicles.
