The University of South Florida College of Nursing has found a way to advance nursing education and increase access to health care in underserved areas of Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties. With the help of a four-year $3.85 million Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) grant the nurse-managed Mobile Health Unit (MHU) will offer basic health services to areas with less access to medical care.
The MHU has two exam rooms, a bathroom, and pop-up awning. The communities it visits all face disparities in access and quality of care. Staffing will include two advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), a patient care coordinator, faculty preceptor and students.
It will serve these areas in Tampa Bay:
- Port Tampa Bay
- Sulphur Springs
- Tampa Heights
- Wimauma
- South St. Petersburg
Some of the care offered in the mobile health unit will include primary care (well visits and physicals), common acute and chronic health issues, point of care tests (blood glucose, pregnancy, rapid strep, etc.) and immunizations.
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“This Health Resources and Service Administration grant will greatly improve access and quality of care for Tampa’s underserved and vulnerable populations,” said Dr. Charles Lockwood, senior vice president of USF Health and dean of the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine. “It will also provide USF Health undergraduate and graduate students with valuable first-hand interprofessional care experiences at additional clinical sites.”
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