Charleston Area Medical Center’s (CAMC) Mobile Care Connect provides health care treatment, telemedicine services, screenings, and emergency response care to rural areas throughout West Virginia.

Two years ago—largely in response to the Kanawha County HIV outbreak as well as rising numbers of syphilis and Hepatitis C—they identified the need among people using drugs, people experiencing homelessness, and an opportunity to serve long-time community members on the West Side. CAMC team members decided to integrate services into a mobile one-stop shop close to people who needed care. The mobile clinic still operates every Tuesday on Washington Street West across the street from the Smokehouse.

“The first visit is really just finding out what you need,” says Dr. Teague, program director. “Then, if you are someone who wants to be tested, we can do that. If you are testing positive for any sexually transmitted infection (STI), then we get you referred and linked to care immediately.”

Staff on the mobile clinic can test and treat for STIs, HIV, and Hepatitis B and C. They have some vaccines stocked as well. A phlebotomist is onboard to take blood samples, and Dr. Teague says they’re especially skilled at working with patients whose veins are more difficult to access. Anyone can stop by for a wound care check, vital signs reading, or medical consultation.

For someone with acute conditions, CAMC Mobile Care Connect has a referral system with Cabin Creek Health Systems, WV Health Right, FamilyCare, counseling, behavioral health, and soon will be able to connect via telemedicine to specialty providers at CAMC.

They also have a team of social workers, Peer Recovery Support Specialists, from community organizations that can help, explains Brooke Parker, Community Linkage to Care Program Coordinator.

“Our focused outreach on the West Side since 2020 showed us there was a need for a street medicine program specializing in low-barrier screening, testing, and prevention for the residents, many of whom were unstably sheltered. We found that it was extremely difficult for patients to get to appointments at the hospital,” says Brooke.

Brooke says the team is connected with housing workers around the city like Covenant House, Kanawha Valley Collective, the CARE team, Charleston QRT, and other organizations that can refer people to housing support. CAMC also connects patients to Medicaid navigation and harm reduction programs at Women’s Health Center of WV and WV Health Right.

“Basically, whatever they need, we try to fill that gap as best we can. We could never do any of this alone, it’s all about partnerships and working together,” Brooke says.

The program secured further funding to expand services in SUD, MAT, counseling, and harm reduction specifically around education about safer drug use, staying healthy, promoting all pathways to recovery, and other resources. The mobile clinic has some harm reduction supplies; small bleach kits and syringe disposal, safer sex supplies, and educational information about how to minimize risks.

Dr. Teague says she believes the mobile team’s work is contributing to significantly reduced spread of infectious diseases on the West Side, which increases safety and health for everyone. As their weekly outreach continued, she says they have seen more people who use substances seeking care at their mobile clinic, and they’ve built meaningful relationships with many neighborhood residents.

The team screens and treats patients for a wide range of STIs. While some STIs like chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis can be cured with antibiotics, others such as HIV, herpes, hepatitis B, and HPV are chronic but manageable. By connecting patients to ongoing care and treatment, the mobile team helps control symptoms, prevent complications, and reduce the risk of transmission. This work not only improves health outcomes, but also lowers emergency room visits and increases access to primary care.

“It’s been life-saving, truly,” Dr. Teague says. “I wonder where we would be and what the outbreak would look like now if we had not been able to do this because we have been able to impact a large portion of the people. I really do think it’s because of being out on the ground where people are that made an honest impact, for sure.” 

The data show the mobile clinic is making a social difference for citizens on the West Side. CAMC removes a common barrier to care by locating programs where the need is the greatest. For the people near the mobile clinics, they can get care whether or not they have a vehicle, a ride, or time to take the bus.

“People appreciate the fact that it is in their neighborhood,” Dr. Teague says. “It is easily accessible because someone can walk here or ride a bike here, and they would not be able to do that if they had to come to the clinic.” 

For services such as health visits, prescriptions, and labs, the mobile clinic can bill Medicaid and other insurance just as they do at any CAMC Hospital, and they are also a State STI Site through the Department of Health where testing and treatment is funded. Dr. Teague says people do not have to worry about costs because there are ways to work with patients on that. She wants the community to know that the team will not turn anyone away—they are there to treat multiple needs with kindness and patience. 

“We serve everyone who has a need in the best way we can, and have been able to link many people in recovery to health care they didn’t have access to before.” Brooke says. “We are another resource for Hep C treatment or another resource for medications for opioid use disorder. There are other programs in the area, and we are loving this opportunity we have to increase referrals to these programs and continue to build on community partnerships, and to be able to treat people ourselves; the goal is personalized care and more access and options for people to get the care they need.”