Ashland Health Department’s Mobile Clinic sets schedule; first stop Wednesday in Polk

Ashland Times-Gazette
Updated ·2 min read
The Ashland County Mobile Clinic will debut its services at Hillside Church of Rowsburg in Polk on Wednesday.
The Ashland County Mobile Clinic will debut its services at Hillside Church of Rowsburg in Polk on Wednesday.

The Mobile Clinic purchased by the Ashland County Health Department (ACHD) will make its debut at Hillside Church of Rowsburg in Polk 9 a.m.-noon Wednesday.

Along with offering immunizations, ACHD’s nurses will offer free health screenings and health education. Individuals can select from blood pressure reading, blood sugar check (a three-hour fast is preferred), cholesterol check (a nine-12 hour fast required) and a height and weight check. Walk-ins are welcome.

The same screenings will be offered at the ACHD’s new building at 1211 Claremont Ave. beginning July 14. Blood pressure and height and weight checks will be offered as a walk-in service during normal business hours, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday. The other screenings will be offered during certain times, which will be announced.

“We look forward to being out in the community and offering these new services,” said Vickie Taylor, health commissioner of the ACHD. “Everyone has been very receptive to scheduling the Mobile Clinic in their area.”

Here are clinic dates and locations

Note additional dates will be added to the Mobile Clinic’s schedule, but it currently is:

  • Hillside Church of Rowsburg, Polk, 9 a.m.-noon Wednesday

  • Cinnamon Lake Lodge, West Salem, 5-6:30 p.m. Thursday

  • Salvation Army Kroc Center, Ashland, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. July 12

  • Sullivan Post Office in Sullivan, 9:30-11:30 a.m. July 20

  • Touch-A-Truck in Downtown Ashland, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Aug. 5

  • Farmer’s Market at UH Samaritan on Main, Ashland, 4-6 p.m. Aug. 9

  • Ashland County Back-2-School, downtown Ashland, 5-6:30 p.m. Aug. 14

  • Amish Health and Safety Day, 5-8 p.m. Aug. 17

  • Farmer’s Market at UH Samaritan on Main, Ashland, 4-6 p.m. Sept. 27

The Mobile Clinic is a used, handicap accessible 2022 Ford E450 van, outfitted with an examination room, refrigerator, bathroom and generator. It was purchased with funds from the Enhanced Operations Grant so health department services like vaccinations are more easily accessible to those without transportation or those living in rural areas.

In Ashland County, 7.3% of households don’t have a vehicle and the estimated population living in rural areas is 13,294. The figures come from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the State of Ohio’s CMIST Tool. CMIST measures five essential functional needs categories – communication, maintaining health, independence, safety and support, and transportation.

Individuals who are ill should not visit the Mobile Clinic, as it is not staffed by health care providers who can make a medical diagnosis or offer treatment. Anyone with an abnormal result from a screening done at the Mobile Clinic will be instructed to seek care with a doctor or nurse practitioner.

To discuss scheduling a visit by the Mobile Clinic, call the health department at 419-282-4231.

This article originally appeared on Ashland Times Gazette: Health screenings coming to Polk Wednesday in Mobile Clinic