LYNN — Lynn Community Health Center (LCHC)  recently announced the expansion of their Medical Outreach Program, with the introduction of a brand new mobile healthcare vehicle, a clinical van.

Gargi Cooper, Medical Director of the Recuperative Care Center and of the Medical Outreach Program at LCHC said that the program had wanted a clinical van to expand its outreach for many years now. Due to the support and funding from Mass General Brigham, Cooper said they were finally able to bring that idea to life.

“We’ve learned through our own Mass General Brigham Community Care Van program that the benefit of mobile services is two sided—mobile care allows teams the flexibility to go to places where they’re needed most while also serving as a literal vehicle for delivering high quality care,” said Dr. Elsie Taveras, Chief Community Health and Health Equity Officer at Mass General Brigham.

Taveras said that working with LCHC and offering financial support for the purchase of the van has allowed both health centers to reach more people and scale a “proven-effective, equity-informed model of care.”

The clinical van is an extension of LCHC’s current services while offering the options for staff to serve and engage with clients who may not be comfortable coming into a standing healthcare center.

“This was kind of another step in serving people where they are,” Cooper said about the van.

A press release from LCHC stated that from acute and preventive care to screenings and vaccinations, as well as chronic disease management, the clinical van is set to make a big difference in improving health outcomes and promoting overall wellness for the community’s most underserved. It will also provide on demand addiction treatment and harm reduction services. 

The mobile van features a full examination room, a waiting area with lab draw, point of care testing, and an area for intake and case management support.

“This initiative aligns with LCHC’s ongoing commitment to serving the diverse and evolving healthcare needs of our community,” said CEO Brenda Rodriguez. “By taking healthcare services on the road, we aim to bridge care gaps, foster community engagement, and ensure that the health center’s integrated care model is accessible to all.”