Texas Children's Hospital developed its Mobile Clinic Program in 2000 in response to the high rate of uninsured among Houston's children and the corresponding lag in immunization rates.
The TCH Mobile Clinic Program continually determines service areas by:
- identifying zip codes for the home addresses of patients with visits to the Texas Children’s Emergency Center categorized as non-emergent or emergent primary care treatable (i.e., minor illnesses);
- identifying areas zoned to public schools in Houston Independent School District (HISD) classified as Title I based on the number of students eligible for free or reduced-fee lunch; and
- evaluating current neighborhood health resources.
Using this data, the Mobile Clinic Program initially identified 2 target areas, Houston's Gulfton area and Greater Hobby Airport neighborhoods. Through its two mobile clinics, the SuperKids Mobile Clinic and Ronald McDonald Care Mobile, the Mobile Clinic Program continues to provide care to uninsured and underinsured children mainly in these target areas year-round, serving primarily low-income Hispanic communities.
The Superkids Mobile Clinic was donated by the Junior League of Houston, Inc. and the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile Clinic was donated by the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Houston/Galveston. Funded by Texas Children’s Hospital with additional support through restricted grants, the Mobile Clinic Program collaborates with HISD and other public and private institutions to ensure the broadest possible reach.
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Watch a video about curbside health care
provided by our mobile clinics
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Given the transient nature of many target families, the Mobile Clinic Program cares for children on site at their schools and provides referrals to nearby primary care clinics for convenient follow-up and consistency of care. The providers on the mobile clinics perform well-child exams, school and sports physicals, urgent/ill exams and provide immunizations. The staff also helps families gain access to public health insurance programs such as Medicaid, CHIP and the Harris County Hospital District Eligibility "Gold" Card. During the HISD summer vacation period, the Mobile Clinic Program participates in free immunization clinics across Houston and surrounding areas to help families prepare their children for the new school year.
Baylor College of Medicine medical students and pediatric residents work on the mobile clinics daily learning how to care for the underserved. The physicians on the mobile clinics are also involved in a variety of research projects that include caring for the underserved, community health worker research, complementary and integrative medicine research, community vaccine research and refugee health.
Community Impact 2011
- Around $1.5 million was invested to operate this mobile care model in 2011.
- The mobile clinics immunized 6,354 children and provided 2,058 well-child visits and illness evaluations to uninsured children.
- Although the clinics operate year-round, in July and August alone, this mobile outreach made 70 scheduled visits throughout underserved communities at local churches, schools and community centers.
- Yearly, 20 medical students spend 2 weeks each learning about general pediatrics and underserved care on the mobile clinics. In addition, have 50 pediatric residents spend 2-3 days each working on the mobile clinics and learning about underserved care.
