Bringing Care To Communities

Health screenings are a critical piece of care provided through CHRISTUS Healthy Living Mobile Clinics. By taking screenings to medically underserved and often hard-to-reach segments of the population, the Mobile Clinics team is able to identify health problems before they become a major issue.

“Blood pressure, glucose and lipid levels are all measured,” said Nancy Bocanegra, Mobile Clinics administrative supervisor. “With our portable cardiocheck monitors, we are able to give patients their glucose and lipid results in three minutes. If any of the readings are critical, we confirm that they have a medical home to monitor their condition, and if not, we refer them to CHRISTUS St. Mary’s Clinic.”

With the recent addition of new associates, the Mobile Clinics are now able to host two health screenings locations a day and make follow-up calls to those patients requiring additional care. “It has made a significant difference in our ability to treat patients beyond the screening day. We are able to extend the quality of care and focus for each patient.”

During a recent mobile clinic at St. Cecilia The Great Catholic Church, the team provided a screening for  a gentleman named Pedro*, who was in his forties. “He was our very last patient, and his blood pressure and triglycerides were very high,” said Bocanegra. After referring him to St. Mary’s Clinic for treatment, the team followed up with him two weeks later and learned he had not visited the clinic. “He told us that previous clinics he had been referred to were too expensive for medication and labs. We assured him this would not be the case at St. Mary’s.” At the clinic, he visited with Dr. Sydney Boule, who prescribed two blood pressure medications and medication for his diabetes. “With the presciption assistance through the clinic, he was able to get his medications for free. He was so grateful.” 

*not patient’s real name