John Hopkins Bayview Hospital Jumpstarts Medical Care-A-Van

From John Hopkins Bayview Medical Center: Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center’s new Care-A-Van hit the streets of greater Baltimore on November 2, 2016, to provide health care to uninsured children and families in the community. The mobile medical van delivers quality medical care to a diverse population at no cost to the patient. Staffed by a driver, physician assistant and Spanish-speaking interpreter, the Care-A-Van sets up shop in Patterson Park, Fells Point, Turner’s Station and Armistead Gardens.

“I’m excited about the new van. It’s much larger than our previous unit,” says Patricia Letke, physician assistant. “It gives us a dependable way to provide consistent services to our community.”
Many barriers such as language, lack of transportation and lack of financial resources hinder Baltimore residents from receiving proper health care. Since June 2000, the Care-A-Van has been fostering the health needs of underserved people. Services—including tuberculosis testing, blood pressure checks, pregnancy testing and immunizations—are targeted to uninsured children and families who do not have a regular source of medical care.

After serving the community for so many years, the original Care-A-Van was in need of a replacement. Members of Johns Hopkins Bayview’s Latino Patient and Family Advisory Council weighed in on the exterior artwork design details.The new van is made possible by a generous donation from the France Merrick Foundation. Two patient exam rooms, an intake area, lab/work area, bathroom and patient waiting area are part of the design of the 40-foot clinic on wheels. It allows Johns Hopkins Bayview to expand its reach into local neighborhoods and bring hope and healing to those in need.

Largely funded by Johns Hopkins Bayview, services provided by the Care-A-Van include primary medical care, immunizations, acute care, physicals and education on various health-related topics. Free testing for syphilis and HIV also is offered, as well as referrals for Women, Infants and Children (WIC). Pregnancy testing and referrals for prenatal care also are available.

A bilingual English/Spanish-speaking representative always is present on the Care-A-Van.

Services are targeted to uninsured children pregnant women who do not have a regular source of medical care. All services on the Care-A-Van are free of charge.

When patients come to the Care-A-Van, please bring any immunization records for your children being seen. We will also need demographic information on those being seen, including age, a current address, phone number, etc.

If you have questions about the Care-A-Van, please call 443-676-2825.

Weekly Schedule

Monday

9 a.m.

Esperanza Center, Broadway and Eastern Avenue

*Appointment required. Please call 443-676-2825 to schedule.

Tuesday

9 a.m.

Patterson Park, Eastern Avenue and Potomac Street

*Appointment required. Please call 443-676-2825 to schedule.

Wednesday

9 a.m.

Patterson Park, Eastern Avenue and Potomac Street

*Appointment required. Please call 443-676-2825 to schedule.

1 p.m.

Armistead Gardens, 5222 Erdman Avenue

Thursday

9 a.m.

Patterson Park, Eastern Avenue and Potomac Street

*Appointment required. Please call 443-676-2825 to schedule.

1 p.m.

Care-A-Van/BCHD Screening

Photo Courtesy of Pixabay