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2 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Roundabout eyed for Highway 140 ... Man gets prison for 2014 Medford carjacking, kidnapping ... Medford School Board looks to fill Lightheart vacancy ... Roundabout eyed for Highway 140 ... Man gets prison for 2014 Medford carjacking, kidnapping ... Medford School Board looks to fill Lightheart vacancy ... LA CLINICA'S MOBILE HEALTH CENTER La Clinica takes mobile health center to Ashland Disadvantaged have a resource to turn to when their health is the primary concern The Rogue Valley's only mobile health center is setting up camp on Tuesdays in Ashland to provide at least a dozen pre-registered patients free and low-cost medical care. Comment By Sam Wheeler MailTribune.com By Sam Wheeler Posted Feb. 27, 2012 at 12:05 AM Updated Feb 27, 2012 at 3:05 AM By Sam Wheeler Posted Feb. 27, 2012 at 12:05 AM Updated Feb 27, 2012 at 3:05 AM » Social News The Rogue Valley's only mobile health center is setting up camp on Tuesdays in Ashland to provide at least a dozen pre-registered patients free and low-cost medical care. La Clinica launched the clinic on wheels to help fulfill its role of providing care for students attending Medford elementary schools about two months ago, but its outings at the United Methodist Church are its first forays into the greater community. "Without these services, I don't know what I would have done," said Mike Newland, a homeless man living outside Ashland who was treated at the clinic last week. "This is the only thing available for someone dying, who's living in a tent because they can't work." Newland said doctors at Rogue Valley Medical Center diagnosed him with testicular cancer and identified a second tumor beneath his right shoulder when he was taken to the hospital after having a seizure on Jan. 5. He was suffering from pneumonia as well, he said, and received vaccines for the respiratory infection and the flu virus during his appointment at the mobile health center. A medical practitioner also referred him to a La Clinica facility in Medford, he said, for further evaluation into the tumor on his back. Newland's wife, who lives with him, also received medical care, but asked not to be named. She said she received an inhaler for her asthma and was grateful for the medical service. "I guess I would have just waited until I was dying again to go to the emergency room," Newland said. "This is really going to help the community out around here, as far as the homeless go." After his appointment, Newland smoked a Pall Mall cigarette and waited for the Uncle Food's Diner's "Tasty Tuesdays" community dinner to begin. "It's the best one in town," said Newland. "I'm glad they decided to do this here." Sponsored by Peace House, the Tuesday dinners have been prepared and served at the church for the past eight years and seemed like the best place for La Clinica to park the 38-foot Winnebago, said David Dismuke, outreach coordinator for the Medford-based nonprofit health center. It will continue to park in Ashland each Tuesday from 1 to 6 p.m., he said, functioning as a drop-in clinic where patients can receive care on a first-come, first-served basis. La Clinica received the custom fabricated doctor-and-dental office RV on Dec. 29, and plans on taking it into the community more often, said Dismuke, as more staff is hired and the RV is operating at full potential. The cost of the unit was about $500,000, not including its equipment, said Dismuke, but most of the expenses were covered by a $650,000 New Access Point federal grant La Clinica received in August. So far, the unit offers only medical and behavioral health care. But by mid-March, the dental office housed at the front of the motor home should be operating as well, said Dismuke. In its entirety, the mobile health center includes an OB/GYN exam room, a pediatrics area, a behavioral specialist interview/blood-draw room, a dental-exam area and a hybrid exam area that can be used for medical or dental care, depending on the need. "Parents have been very excited about what we're doing at the schools —… and this will make it much better for our migrant and seasonal workers program," Dismuke said. "It has been very well received by the community." Dismuke said homeless shelters in Medford, where the unit already has set up to ask for registration forms, likely will be its next step. "I'm very, very thankful that they're here," said Greg Eppes, 44, another homeless man living in Ashland who took advantage of La Clinica's mobile services last week. "I agree," said Bob Rodgers, also homeless, who gave a blood sample for HIV and hepatitis screening. "There's a lot of need for it around here." Sam Wheeler is a reporter for the Ashland Daily Tidings. Reach him at 541-499-1470 or email [email protected]. By Sam Wheeler MailTribune.com By Sam Wheeler Posted Feb. 27, 2012 at 12:05 AM Updated Feb 27, 2012 at 3:05 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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