Rosalind Franklin University unveiled its new Community Care Connection mobile health vehicle during an open house attended by faculty, staff, students and community partners on Aug. 19.

The Community Care Connection, a 40-foot, custom vehicle operated through the Rosalind Franklin University Health Clinics, makes regularly scheduled site visits at libraries, churches and community centers throughout Lake County. Through partnerships with community organizations, we offer free health screenings for blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, body mass index, osteoporosis and foot exams directly to residents of medically underserved areas.

“We know that accessing health care can be difficult for a variety of reasons, and that’s why we work with trusted leaders from across the region, many of whom are here today, to bring health services directly to our patients,” said RFU President and CEO Dr. Wendy Rheault.  

North Chicago Mayor Leon Rockingham Jr. attended the Open House and expressed gratitude to the university for “encouraging and preserving access to important healthcare screenings” through initiatives such as the Community Care Connection.

Health Clinics President John Nylen illustrated the tremendous impact these health screenings can make by sharing the story of a woman who visited the Community Care Connection and was discovered to have extremely elevated blood pressure. She was immediately referred to a physician for treatment, and returned to the mobile health vehicle two months later to thank RFUHC Director of Community Health Engagement Michael Smith and his staff for saving her life by offering the free blood pressure screening.

The new Community Care Connection replaces the previous mobile health vehicle that was almost 20 years old. The new vehicle features two exam rooms, an intake room that can accommodate six patients, a medical refrigerator for vaccines, a chair lift, and a leveling system to keep the vehicle stable during site visits. The purchase of the new vehicle was funded by a lead grant from The Grainger Foundation, in addition to funding from the Federal New Markets Tax Credit Program. Donors that support program operations include the Healthcare Foundation of Northern Lake County, North Shore Gas, the Grace Bersted Foundation, and an anonymous family foundation.