Marion-based free clinic to christen new mobile medical unit

For more than two decades, Harry Howe has longed for a way to take medical care to outlying communities and their residents, especially those for whom catching a ride or otherwise getting transportation is difficult. His dream is coming to fruition.

On Thursday, the Mel Leaman Free Clinic and Anthem HealthKeepers Plus plan to christen the clinic's new mobile medical unit.

The van was actually delivered a couple weeks ago.

As she checked out the new tool for delivering care, Susan Ferraro, the clinic's executive director, remembered when she met Howe in 2000, the minister, physician assistant, and longtime clinic provider, spoke even then of the need for some kind of mobile unit.

Anthem HealthKeepers Plus' Misty Lee knew of Howe's mission too. She met him in more recent years at a Remote Area Medical (RAM) clinic. At the van's delivery, she declared, "This is his dream."

As for Howe, as he explored the clinic's brand new mobile unit, examining its cabinets, exam table, lights, centrifuge, refrigerator and inner workings, he simply said, "This is great."

Ferraro walked through the van with Howe. The two imagined how a dental chair might be fit into its space.

The van is also equipped with a wheelchair lift and an awning to provide cover and shade.

Howe noted that it's quite user-friendly with the ability to operate off a generator or connect to electrical service.

With a service area of Smyth, Grayson, and Washington counties, Lee said the mobile unit is a way to provide outreach to the underserved in some of the more rural and distant communities. It will, she said, serve as a tool "to bridge the gap."

Ferraro also spoke of the many people who need clinic services but lack transportation.

Lee celebrated the free clinic's partnership with Anthem HealthKeepers Plus, calling it phenomenal.

Ferraro agreed, noting that the clinic frequently works the agency, a Medicare managed care company since 1996.

According to Thomas Rayner of Anthem HealthKeepers Plus, the company offers "health insurance to Virginians of many types – low-income mothers and their children, those low-income adults that don't have access to health insurance due to their doing part-time work, being caregivers, or in school, and those who have physical and/or behavioral disabilities."

More than 570,000 Virginians are insured by the company, Rayner noted.

When it comes to health care, Rayner said, "The rural areas of Virginia are often overlooked in many ways; Anthem is committed to the health of rural Virginians."

"As a demonstration of this commitment," he said, "we have placed a fully-outfitted medical van with the Mel Leaman Free Clinic. Anthem will support this van and expenses, and help Mel Leaman maximize its use."

Rayner put the van's estimated monetary value at $200,000.

Ferraro said the clinic took out liability insurance on the mobile unit, but concurred that many of its costs will be reimbursed by the Anthem company.

"This van will be used for primary care visits (physicals, blood work, chronic disease management, etc.)," Rayner said, adding that "it will also be used for dental extractions, which can keep many folks out of the emergency room and at risk for serious infection. We are also researching potential preventative dental care (cleanings/fillings) and behavioral health visits."

He expects the van to make its first field trip in later October, after the clinic's staff has undergone training in its use.

The clinic has invited community leaders, chamber of commerce members, and anyone who is interested to celebrate with the clinic and Anthem's representatives at the 11 a.m. Oct. 12 christening at the clinic.