It’s official: Ribbon-cutting held for ‘power up’ of new mobile unit
The mission of Adventist Health is to “live God’s love by inspiring health, wholeness and hope,” which includes offering the best healthcare to people who call Kern County home. But what if you live in a rural or underserved community?
Today, Adventist Health and Chevron held a ribbon-cutting ceremony in McFarland to officially “power up” mobile primary care services in Kern County. That’s right – the healthcare you need is hitting the road!
“This is an exciting milestone for Adventist Health,” said Daniel Wolcott, president of Adventist Health Kern County. “Our mission calls us to find the best ways to serve the nearly 1 million residents living in Kern County, so that we can improve the health and well-being of as many people as possible. The Adventist Health Mobile Health Clinic will expand our reach as we provide health, wholeness and hope.”
With financial support from Chevron for the purchase of the specially equipped unit, the Adventist Health Mobile Clinic is designed to make access to care easier for remote communities, where lack of transportation, food insecurity, poverty and no health insurance can be significant barriers to well-being.
“Health and safety are at the forefront of Chevron’s operations. We place the highest priority on the safety and health of our workforce and on the communities where we live and work,” said Patty Canessa, Chevron Public Affairs Manager. “It is a priority for us to put these words to action in the community by supporting inclusive healthcare programs like the Adventist Health Mobile Clinic that expands access to basic community healthcare services.”
This mobile care program will provide access to basic healthcare, screenings, checkups and immunizations to individuals and families in rural areas, including field workers, school groups and businesses’ employees. The Adventist Health Mobile Clinic’s services will include:
- General family practice
- Pediatric care
- Physicals
- Labs (limited)
- Immunizations
- Behavioral health services
- Specialty services via virtual care
“Adventist Health has been a place where innovative healthcare blends with our belief that every life is sacred. Working together, with community philanthropy partners, we are changing lives by putting our patients first and striving for nothing less than the best,” said Beatris Sanders, president of the Adventist Health Bakersfield Foundation. “Our work to continue to bring the best healthcare to Kern County is always evolving and could not be possible without generous donors like Chevron.”
Additional community partnerships with local schools
The Adventist Health Mobile Clinic will work closely with the McFarland Unified School District and Bakersfield College, where the two organizations have partnered to offer students college credit through a dual enrollment program. Students in McFarland will have access to school physicals and wellness exams.
“This is an exciting day because we get to help McFarland students and families access healthcare,” says McFarland Superintendent Aaron Resendez. “Thanks to Adventist Health, Chevron, and Kern Community College District, the clinic will help reduce our chronic absenteeism rate and ensure that students are healthy and in school learning and thriving.”
Plans also are underway for the Adventist Health Mobile Clinic to serve as a platform for the training and development of medical assistant and Bakersfield College nursing students.
“It’s a win-win for the greater community,” said Dr. Sonya Christian, Chancellor of the Kern Community College District. “For years, Bakersfield College has been committed to reducing barriers and expanding education in rural areas like Delano and McFarland. On one hand, the Adventist Health Mobile Clinic guarantees families will have access to high-quality local health care and they can engage in opportunities to learn healthy lifestyle habits. On the other hand, the Adventist Health Mobile Clinic gives Bakersfield College nursing students another option to gain clinical experience. It really is a win all around for rural Kern County.”
The Adventist Health Mobile Clinic accepts Medicare, Medi-Cal, Kern Family and most PPO insurance plans. For an appointment, call 661-637-7777. To learn how you can expand mobile healthcare through philanthropy and partnerships, call the Adventist Health Bakersfield Foundation at (661) 869-6570.
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Chevron is one of the world’s leading integrated energy companies. We believe affordable, reliable and ever-cleaner energy is essential to achieving a more prosperous and sustainable world. Chevron produces crude oil and natural gas; manufactures transportation fuels, lubricants, petrochemicals and additives; and develops technologies that enhance our business and the industry. To advance our lower carbon strategy, we are focused on lowering the carbon intensity in our operations and growing lower carbon businesses. More information about Chevron is available at www.chevron.com. More information about Chevron’s San Joaquin Valley Business Unit is available at https://www.chevron.com/stories/san-joaquin-valley-business-unit-sjvbu
Adventist Health is a faith-based, nonprofit integrated health system serving more than 80 communities on the West Coast and Hawaii. Founded on Seventh-day Adventist heritage and values, Adventist Health provides care in hospitals, clinics, home care agencies, hospice agencies and joint-venture retirement centers in both rural and urban communities. Our compassionate and talented team of 35,000 includes associates, medical staff physicians, allied health professionals and volunteers driven in pursuit of one mission: living God's love by inspiring health, wholeness and hope. Together, we are transforming the American healthcare experience with an innovative, yet timeless, whole-person focus on physical, mental, spiritual and social healing.
