Children's Healthcare Is on the Move
The University of Chicago Comer Children's Hospital takes primary care to children in its surrounding neighborhoods. The Chicago Comer Children Hospital's Mobile Healthcare Van offers a unique service to Chicago's South Side.
The van reaches children ages 3 to 19 who may not receive healthcare on a regular basis. "The healthcare unit is an attempt to improve access and meet the need for direct medical services," says Icy Cade-Bell, MD, assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of Chicago and medical director of the van.
The "hospital on wheels" brings medical resources to the children's school so parents or guardians don't have to work through obstacles, such as transportation.
The 40-foot-long Mobile Healthcare Van features two fully equipped exam rooms. Take a look inside.
In addition to a physician, the van team includes a nurse practitioner and a community health advocate. It provides a full array of pediatric primary care services, such as:
- Immunizations
- Physicals for school and sports
- Screenings for vision, hearing, lead poisoning, and anemia
- Urine tests
- Blood draws
At high schools, the van offers health education and treatment for minor injuries. When appropriate, children are referred for follow up care and specialty services to manage conditions such as asthma, diabetes, or mental health problems.
"We can't expect our students to excel academically if they don't feel well," said Arne Duncan, Chicago Public Schools' chief executive officer. "The health van will help us ensure that our students are in class and ready to learn."
"Community outreach is rewarding because we can provide services that may improve the health and future of children and, thus, the strength of the community as a whole," Dr. Cade-Bell added.
The Mobile Healthcare Van visits eight schools in the Woodlawn, South Shore, Englewood, Greater Grand Crossing, and Oakland communities. They include:
Elementary Schools
- Carnegie (Woodlawn)
- McCosh (Woodlawn)
- Paul Revere (Greater Grand Crossing)
- North Kenwood Oakland Charter School (Oakland)
- Ariel Community Academy (Oakland)
High Schools
- Hyde Park Academy (Woodlawn)
- South Shore (South Shore)
- Paul Robeson (Englewood)
More schools may be added in the future.
The van program is supported by a donation from Gary Comer, the founder of the Lands' End clothing-catalogue company who also provided the lead gift for the construction of the University of Chicago Comer Children's Hospital. Additional financial support has been received from the Polk Bros. Foundation, the Lloyd A. Fry Foundation, and Aetna.
