On the Road to Better Health: Community Health Center of Franklin County’s Mobile Health Vehicle Brings Care to West County

In a region where scenic hills and winding back roads often mean long drives to the nearest clinic, access to healthcare can feel out of reach for many West County residents. But that’s starting to change. This year, the Community Health Center of Franklin County (CHCFC) officially launched its new Mobile Health Vehicle—a fully equipped primary care clinic on wheels—with a bold mission: to meet people where they are. 

“All the towns we serve are rural,” said CHCFC CEO Allison van der Velden. “If everyone already had access to healthcare, we wouldn’t need to be here with this mission. But the reality is that many people just can’t get what they need—whether it’s due to transportation, provider shortages, or other barriers.” 

CHCFC’s commitment to providing high-quality, comprehensive care to all—regardless of income or insurance status—is what drove the vision for a mobile health vehicle. And for Allison and her team, that vision had been in the works for years. 

The Mobile Health Vehicle is now delivering care across Franklin County, with half of its time explicitly dedicated to West County. It offers primary care services, including lab work, vaccinations, and wraparound services, and CHCFC is coordinating with its portable dental team to provide pop-up clinics and expanded access to integrated care. 

The need for a mobile model became even clearer during the pandemic, when CHCFC lost one of its buildings and had to act quickly to provide alternatives. Though compact, the MHV is making a big impact—especially in West County, where the closest clinics are often many miles away. From sports physicals to chronic disease management, the vehicle brings vital care to people who might otherwise go without. “We’d rather connect with someone through the mobile unit now,” Allison explained, “than see them in an emergency room later because they didn’t get care in time.” 

This boots-on-the-ground approach has also deepened CHCFC’s partnership with the Mary Lyon Foundation. “MLF is connected to so many local partners and has a deep understanding of what people are facing in West County,” Allison noted. “Their team brings color and context to the stories we’re hearing—and that’s incredibly valuable.” It’s a collaboration rooted in shared values. “You can’t separate student success from family well-being,” she continued. “You can’t expect a child to learn if they’re hungry or sick. You can’t expect someone to manage diabetes if they don’t have stable housing. We’re both working toward healthier, stronger communities.” 

Although CHCFC explored permanent locations in West County, infrastructure challenges and limited municipal resources made a fixed site difficult to secure. In the meantime, the Mobile Health Vehicle is bridging the gap—and the community can help keep it rolling. Donations directly support operations, staffing, and services, and every dollar helps CHCFC continue meeting people where they are. Community members can also support CHCFC by becoming patients, spreading the word, volunteering on their board of directors, or switching prescriptions to their in-house pharmacy, which opened this past year. 

Despite common misconceptions, CHCFC’s services are open to everyone, regardless of income, insurance status, or language. Their team is committed to providing high-quality, compassionate care to all members of the community, ensuring that no one is turned away or left behind.  

“In a time of federal and state-level changes, our commitment doesn’t change,” Allison said. “We’ll keep showing up for this community—because everyone deserves the chance to live a long and healthy life.” To learn more or support the Mobile Health Vehicle, visit www.chcfc.org/donate.