SamCare Mobile Medicine is partnering with St. Stephen Episcopal Church in Newport to bring convenient health care services to those who attend Stone Soup Suppers, a weekly community meal hosted by the church. The mobile clinic will set up in the church parking lot on Monday, Feb. 24, and Monday, March 16, from 3 to 6 p.m., to provide basic health care for those who may not have regular access to care. Services are available to any member of the community, whether or not you attend the church’s weekly meal.
SamCare Mobile Medicine brings basic health care to underserved populations throughout
Benton, Lincoln and Linn counties. Patients can receive routine medical check-ups, treatment
for acute illness such as flu-like symptoms or minor infections, vaccinations, physicals and
more. “Our goal with SamCare Mobile Medicine is to take health care services to people where they already gather,” said Tricia Schug, business development coordinator for the program. “Many people may not be able to get to a clinic or might even have some fears about going into a more traditional facility. The mobile clinic can feel less threatening.”
Patients can use their insurance if they have it, but no one will be turned away for inability to
pay. For those who qualify for Oregon Health Plan, but may not yet be signed up, an outreach
worker from Lincoln County will be on-hand to connect people with insurance coverage.
SamCare Mobile Medicine came to Newport briefly in 2018, to serve as a walk-in immediate
care clinic during a two-week construction period at the hospital, but this is the clinic’s first stop at a community location at the coast. The “clinic on wheels” has been traveling to homeless shelters, schools and other community meal locations this winter in Benton and Linn counties.
The clinic will also stop at Grace Wins Haven in April and May and will make additional stops in other parts of Lincoln County later this year. Learn more about SamCare Mobile Medicine and see a schedule at samhealth.org/MobileMed.