Adventist Health, with support from Chevron, ‘powers up’ new mobile unit; first assignment will take COVID-19 vaccine to rural, underserved areas

Mar 3, 2021

McFarland, Calif. (March 2, 2021) – The mission of Adventist Health is to “live God’s love by inspiring health, wholeness and hope,” which includes finding the best ways to serve the nearly 1 million residents living in Kern County and improve the health status and well-being of as many people as possible. But what if you live in a rural or underserved community?

Then, the care will come to you!

With financial support from Chevron for the purchase of the mobile unit, the Adventist Health Mobile Clinic is specifically designed to make access to care easier for remote communities, where transportation barriers, food insecurity, poverty, and lack of health insurance can be significant barriers to wellbeing. This mobile care program will provide access to basic health care, screenings, checkups and immunizations to individuals and families in rural areas, including:

Field workers
School groups
Businesses’ employees

Plans for the custom build of the fully equipped unit were underway before the pandemic, focusing on primary care medical services. But now, because of COVID-19, this new mobile unit’s first assignment will take it to our communities to administer free COVID-19 vaccines.

“COVID-19 brought to light the importance of well-being and access to services,” said Daniel Wolcott, president of Adventist Health Kern County Care Delivery. “Our community deserves quality, compassionate care – no matter where they live in Kern County.”

With strong roots in Kern County and a dedication to enabling human progress, Chevron also wanted to find a way to “power” rural healthcare access as well – making them the perfect partner in this endeavor. Chevron’s $200,000 contribution enabled Adventist Health to purchase and furnish the mobile unit.

“Chevron is honored to partner with Adventist Health to expand access to health services for underserved populations in Kern County” said Patty Canessa, Public Affairs Manager of Chevron’s San Joaquin Valley Business Unit. “We are enthusiastic to see the mobile unit start contributing to the improvement of health and wellbeing in our communities, which is especially critical as we strive to recover from the pandemic.”