New GCSU Mobile Health Unit Launches TODAY, providing medical services to rural communities throughout Central Georgia

One year after Georgia was ranked No. 7 in the nation for the most rural hospital closings, Georgia College & State University will unveil its new Mobile Health Unit — a free screening center on wheels — that will address rural healthcare needs throughout the state, while providing students with invaluable experience administering preventive care services to underserved communities. 

Tours of the 40-foot unit, which include two intake areas, two exam rooms, vaccination storage and more will be available at the ribbon-cutting event.

• WHEN: 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024
• WHERE: Russell Auditorium lawn, 201 N. Clarke St, Milledgeville, GA 31061

“Our new, state-of-the-art Mobile Health Unit will address a critical need for residents in rural communities — many of which are losing access to healthcare — while simultaneously providing nursing and public health students with the vital training they need to become future healthcare leaders and frontline workers,” said GCSU President Cathy Cox. “It is truly a win-win for all involved."

Nursing, public health and exercise science students will work inside the unit, supervised by faculty, to perform basic physical and mental health screenings, administer blood tests, offer vaccinations, teach CPR and assess various health metrics, according to Dr. Damian Francis, director of the university’s Center for Health & Social Issues who leads the initiative. The unit will also give students the chance to explore the social issues that drive premature disease and strain hospitals — how poverty, lack of transportation and reduced access to insurance often lead to obesity, elevated blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease and cancer, for example. 

“This mobile unit will expand our reach, promote wellbeing and help us get more students out in the field to educate people about health,” said Dr. Will Evans, dean of GCSU’s College of Health Sciences. “The screenings we do should catch health risks earlier and save lives.”