NECC's Mobile Health Day tackles lack of healthcare access

MILLERTON — When in need of health services, patients generally find their way to providers, but on March 12, providers came to patients on Mobile Health Day.

Mobile Health Day — a collaboration between the North East Community Center, the Dutchess County Department of Health, and Sun River Health of Amenia — provided the public with the opportunity to receive vaccinations and health/medical screenings and to schedule medical appointments.

While the offerings were limited, the services on tap that day are much-needed in the region, which lacks a sufficient number of health providers and clinics.The NECC already provides transportation for those in need to pharmacies and doctor’s offices.

NECC’s mobile health day was an attempt to connect the public with easy-to-access care at Dutchess County’s mobile health unit, a large van parked a few doors down from the NECC at the rail trail parking lot on South Center Street.

“The health care desert we experience in northeast Dutchess County can be felt by all our neighbors, who often have to drive increasingly far distances to access the health care they need,” said Cheri Johnson, who serves as the NECC’s marketing and outreach coordinator. “While NECC’s transportation program provides approximately 2,800 free rides per year to those needing transport to medical appointments, this now-monthly gathering of mobile healthcare providers is a great way to bring medical services right into the heart of our community where we need them the most.”

Nurse practitioner Barbara Lopez-Heffernan, who was on-site that day, is bilingual in English and Spanish. Should a patient arrive who isn’t fluent in either tongue, a translation service LanguageLine, is available for those in need.

Lopez-Heffernan, who works with the Department of Health, conveyed that being able to converse with her patients in whatever language they speak fosters a sense of comfort, especially for nervous patients, and helps build patient-practitioner connections. “It’s important to reach patients where they’re at,” she said. “I tell my patients I’m here for you.”

Among the services offered that day included testing for pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, flu and COVID-19 vaccinations, and blood pressure checks along with informational pamphlets. “I triage, refer or treat,” said Lopez-Heffernan.

Sun River Health in Amenia had a table set up inside the NECC where information was provided and answers were given to questions about services.

In addition to the NECC and the Department of Health, Sharon’s Hospital’s Diaper Connections was also around with a generous supply of disposable diapers to provide to patrons in need. Diaper Connections, which is primarily privately funded, has received some grant monies. The organization serves approximately 85 children per month, and about 85% of families with newborns have diaper needs.

According to Candy Osborn, RN, of Sharon Hospital, about 85% of new parents have diaper needs with the birth of a newborn for a variety of reasons. Income is a factor, but sometimes parents are just not properly prepared.

An inflatable welcomed the public to Mobile Health Day on March 12 at the rail trail parking lot, just down the street from the NECC, one of the event’s sponsors.Photo by Krista A. Briggs

“I really feel a lot of families don’t know the resources,” Osborn said. “No judgment here. If you have a need, you have a need.” Osborn conveyed that about 40% to 50% of families with diaper needs in the first month of a newborn’s life return for additional supplies thereafter.

“Mobile Health Day was an excellent way to serve all members of our community, and a large number of people took advantage of the offerings made by North East Community Center, Dutchess County Health Department, Sharon Hospital’s Diaper Connections, and Sun River Health of Amenia,” said Johnson. “We look forward to continuing to provide these resources and are excited for our next mobile health event on April 9 at the South Center Street rail trail parking lot in Millerton.”