SAN MARCOS, Calif. (November 8, 2022) — TrueCare, a community-based health center serving North San Diego and South Riverside counties for over 50 years, rolled out a new mobile wellness unit today. The additional unit expands the nonprofit’s ability to provide medical and dental services to anyone in need.
Access to quality health care has long been a challenge for people struggling to make ends meet and in particular those experiencing homelessness. TrueCare’s new 36-foot, state-of-the-art mobile health unit includes two private exam areas for performing a wide range of services, including medical exams, physicals, women’s health, behavioral health, dental exams and minor dental procedures, chiropractic treatment, and immunizations.
“We believe access to health care has no boundaries, plain and simple,” said Michelle D. Gonzalez, President and CEO of TrueCare.
“Our newest mobile wellness unit is another way that we are living out our mission of removing barriers and making medical services accessible to all.”
The new TrueCare mobile unit is making its debut at the Brother Benno’s Center, an Oceanside-based nonprofit that provides essential services and outreach to struggling families and people experiencing homelessness, as well as an alcohol and drug recovery program, among other services. The partnership marks the first mobile clinic collaboration that Brother Benno’s has had in its 40-year history. TrueCare’s mobile clinic is delivering medical and dental care on a weekly basis, bringing vital services to guests of Brother Benno’s on a regular basis.
“Our Guests can now have their essential health care needs met right where they are thanks to the new TrueCare mobile clinic,” said Dennis Pinnick, a member of the Outreach Services Team for The Brother Benno Foundation. “We have been hoping to make healthcare services available to our guests for a long time. For several years, the dedicated staff at TrueCare were doing outreach here at the Brother Benno’s Center. We know from experience that the kindness, compassion, and dedication of their professional team members will bring our guests relief and even more important an understanding that we care about each other. We’re thrilled to have this mobile healthcare partnership with TrueCare.”
With an expanded fleet, TrueCare can reach an additional 3,500 people annually through mobile medical services. The organization works with partners to bring their mobile clinic into the community, including nonprofit groups, school districts, agricultural nurseries, childcare centers, after-school programs, and universities/community colleges, and more throughout the region. A sampling of TrueCare’s roster of partners includes organizations such as Oceanside and Carlsbad Unified School Districts, MiraCosta College, North County Lifeline, North County LGBTQ Resource Center, Ramona Food and Clothes Closet, One Safe Place Family Justice Center, Boys & Girls Clubs of San Marcos, MAAC Head Start Childcare Center, and several agricultural nurseries, among many others.
Additionally, the new mobile unit is slated to broaden its impact with travel to area parks, public housing complexes, senior centers, and any other location where there is a need.
“Our mobile services bring medical and dental care closer to everyone in our communities, regardless of their zip code,” said Dr. Jorge Otanez, Associate Chief Medical Officer at TrueCare. “I’m able to provide high-quality health care as if the patient were in any of our clinics.”
TrueCare started as a mobile clinic in 1971 and has grown to 19 health centers and WIC offices located in Carlsbad, Encinitas, Escondido, Oceanside, Perris, Ramona, San Marcos and Valley Center. The organization’s largest mobile unit launched in 2021. This new mobile clinic joins the expanding fleet as its second largest.
“We are building two more mobile units that we plan to have on the road next year,” added Gonzalez. “We believe by removing barriers to access that we are one step closer to truly equitable health care for everyone in our region.”
TrueCare’s new mobile unit is subsidized through fundraising and the American Rescue Plan Act administered by the U.S. Health Resources and Services. TrueCare continues to seek grants and fundraise for their mobile program to help cover costs for anyone who lacks health insurance, all in an effort to continue to advance their mission of serving families and individuals in need of medical attention.
For more information about TrueCare’s mobile clinics, call (760) 566-1603. Learn more about TrueCare’s mobile wellness units at: https://truecare.org/wellness-services/mobile-wellness/. To donate towards TrueCare’s mobile program, go to: https://truecare.org/get-involved/donate-now/#donatenow
About TrueCare
For 50 years, TrueCare has remained steadfast in its commitment to patients, their families, and its communities. As a nonprofit community health center, TrueCare is dedicated to delivering a superior and compassionate healthcare experience to nearly 60,000 patients every year, reducing barriers and increasing accessibility to quality care. TrueCare serves its communities in North San Diego and South Riverside Counties through its 19 health centers and WIC offices, providing primary care, pediatric, women’s health, behavioral health, chiropractic, dental and cardiology services to everyone, regardless of their walk of life. In addition, TrueCare offers many other support services such as, transportation services, community health outreach, insurance enrollment assistance and case management programs. For more information, please visit https://truecare.org/
