New mobile clinic rolls across the state to deliver specialized pediatric care – Harlan Enterprise

By Hilary Brown

University of Kentucky

Too often, children and adolescents cannot travel to Lexington to get the specialized care they need. With the new mobile clinic, providers at Kentucky Children’s Hospital will treat them.

Funded by grants from the Colonel Harland Sanders Foundation and the Coaches for the Kids Foundation, and supported by gifts from other generous donors, the mobile clinic will visit areas of the country that lack access to specialty care, such as pediatric cardiology, adolescent medicine and high BMI clinics. It will also provide vaccination and telemedicine services. In the event of an emergency or natural disaster, it can be dispatched to provide care and support to children in the affected area. When fully operational, the clinic will be able to accommodate more than 1,000 patient appointments each year.

“One in four children in Kentucky does not have a pediatrician in their home county, and many families cannot afford to travel long distances for specialty care,” said Scottie B. Day, MD, chief physician for Kentucky. Children’s Hospital. “This mobile clinic will help us fulfill our mission to create a healthier Kentucky.”

Staffed by clinic practice managers, nurses, medical assistants and dedicated drivers, the clinic will transport staff and providers from multiple pediatric specialties to regional hospitals, county health departments, affiliate clinics and other community locations throughout the Commonwealth. The clinic’s first outing is in early 2023 to Georgetown Community Hospital, where pediatric cardiologists will meet new and current patients in need of heart care.

“The Coaches for the Kids Foundation is thrilled to be partnering with Kentucky Children’s Hospital and the Colonel Harland Sanders Foundation in funding a mobile clinic for the children of Eastern Kentucky,” said Ralph Coldiron, a member of the board of Coaches for Kids. “The goal of the CFTK organization is to save the lives of children. Put this mobile clinic on the road to achieve this goal.

The clinic is housed in a 35-foot Ford F-550 and has several features, including:

• Child-friendly interior design

• sensory tools for children with anxiety or unique developmental needs

• satellite internet access

• Power awning for registration developed and waiting

• electric ADA ramp

• 32 “LED screen for telemedicine and interpreter services

“During Colonel Sanders’ last year, he was asked to be the national chairman of the children’s hospital fundraiser,” said Pat Walter, president of the Colonel Harland Sanders Foundation. “Despite approaching 90 years of age, he took the job, saying ‘I don’t want to be a figurehead, I want to visit hospitals and see the work being done.’ We have to take care of our little ones. They are the ones who will rise up later to keep our country strong.”