UTRGV and United Health Foundation Unveil Mobile Clinic to Deliver Health Care to Rio Grande Valley Communities

  • “Unimóvil” to provide health screening, education and convenient
    access to dental and mental health services
  • Innovative initiative to increase health care access and health
    education in the Rio Grande Valley is funded through a nearly $3
    million grant from United Health Foundation

EDINBURG, Texas–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) School of Medicine and
United Health Foundation introduced “Unimóvil” today at a dedication
ceremony.


UTRGV Provost and Executive Vice President Dr. Havidán Rodriguez;
UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Texas CEO Don Langer; and other
UTRGV, United Health Foundation and community leaders unveiled the new
mobile health clinic, which medical professionals will use to serve
community residents.

Unimóvil will provide primary care services including diagnosis and
treatment of common dental and mental health conditions, as well as
health screenings including: oral health with fluoride varnish, HIV,
depression with phq9, Duke wellness screen, BMI evaluation, domestic
violence screen, vision, hearing, lipid profile, liver function tests,
HgA1C, and women’s health screen.

Unimóvil’s commissioning was made possible through a $2.88 million grant
by United Health Foundation in January 2015 that established the
university’s Center for Colonia Integrated Care (CCIC) to help
improve access to primary and preventive health care services.

“Access to quality primary and preventive care is essential for people
to maintain good health and quality of life,” said Dr. Francisco
Fernandez, professor of psychiatry, neurology and neuroscience, UTRGV
School of Medicine. “Unimóvil can help remove some barriers to health
care, such as transportation, child care and work obligations that often
put even routine checkups at risk. It brings health care closer to where
people live and work.”

The 45-foot-long clinic is staffed by health care providers and
furnished with state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment.

Unimóvil is expected to provide services to up to 4,500 Rio Grande
Valley residents annually.

According to America’s
Health Rankings Spotlight: Prevention
, Hispanic adults are not
receiving as many key clinical preventive health services – including
immunizations, cholesterol checks and colorectal cancer screenings – as
non-Hispanic white and non-Hispanic black adults.

The report also indicates Hispanic adults are less likely than
non-Hispanic white and non-Hispanic black adults to visit a dedicated
health care provider. Dedicated health care providers can help adults
navigate the complex health care system and enable their patients to
receive care that can prevent, detect and manage diseases or other
existing conditions. Barriers to health care – including lack of
transportation, child care or work obligations; financial constraints;
and a general lack of knowledge of available services and care providers
– are just some of the challenges people face when trying to access
vital preventive care services

“One of the ways we help build healthier communities is by partnering
with local organizations to make it easier for people to access health
care services,” said Don Langer, CEO, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of
Texas. “Unimóvil will be on the front lines of care, delivering the
health care provider and vital services to our neighbors who need them
most.”

“Unimóvil will help expand access to health care for thousands of Texans
in the Rio Grande Valley each year,” said Texas Governor Greg Abbott.
“Building a better Texas begins with building healthier families, and I
am proud that UTRGV and United Health Foundation have joined forces to
provide convenient health care services to the residents of the Rio
Grande Valley.”

For more information about Unimóvil’s upcoming visits, call 956-296-1700.

About The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley was created by the Texas
Legislature in 2013 in a historic move that combined the resources and
assets of UT Brownsville and UT Pan American and, for the first time,
made it possible for residents of the Rio Grande Valley to benefit from
the Permanent University Fund. UTRGV enrolled its first class in fall
2015. The institution also is home to The UTRGV School of Medicine,
which in June 2016 welcomed its first cohort of 55 medical students. One
of only a few medical schools to be established in the country in
several decades, the UTRGV School of Medicine is designed to transform
medical education and research, train a new generation of physicians in
integrative and personalized care, and impact the health and well-being
of the entire Valley. The School of Medicine aims to become a national
model for innovation and continuous improvement in medical education,
research, and healthcare delivery. Learn more about UTRGV and the School
of Medicine online at www.utrgv.edu

About United Health Foundation

Through collaboration with community partners, grants and outreach
efforts, United Health Foundation works to improve our health system,
build a diverse and dynamic health workforce and enhance the well-being
of local communities. United Health Foundation was established by
UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH) in 1999 as a not-for-profit, private
foundation dedicated to improving health and health care. To date,
United Health Foundation has committed more than $285 million to
programs and communities around the world. We invite you to learn more
at www.unitedhealthfoundation.org
or follow @UHGGives on Twitter or Facebook.com/UHGGives.

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Contacts

UnitedHealthcare
Dustin Clark, 214-438-8251
dustin.clark@uhc.com
or
The
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Marci Caltabiano, 956-665-2742
marci.caltabiano@utrgv.edu

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