Meeting people where they live, play and learn. Providing access to free health services. Educating community members about essential resources.
As the director of Diversity and Community Engagement at Nebraska Methodist College (NMC) since 2020, Kiley Petersmith, DNP, RN, CPEN, CPN, has led a team that has worked countless hours to promote health equity — especially for underserved populations.
“We’re trying to bring as much health care access to them as possible and connect them with resources in a more holistic way by going to them rather than them coming to us,” Petersmith said.
The team’s efforts became a little easier after it gained possession of a sprinter van in late 2023.
Thanks to Methodist Hospital Foundation and its generous donors, the Harper Family Mobile Health Unit helps transport NMC staff and supplies and can serve as a small clinic at a variety of outreach events throughout the Omaha area, Nebraska and western Iowa. The unit features a generator for electricity, a sink, a refrigerator and an exterior awning to provide coverage from the outside elements.
Prior to the addition of the new van, the team’s only option for a mobile clinic was the Mobile Diabetes Center (MDC) — a partnership between NMC and the Cornbelt Diabetes Connection. The MDC — a 38-foot RV outfitted with equipment to provide free diabetes screenings — isn’t always convenient for the team’s needs.
Previously, if the MDC didn’t fit where the NMC Center for Diversity and Community Engagement team was heading, staff members would load their personal vehicles with supplies and set up a small standing clinic.
“The van is a way to not replace what we’re already doing, but to expand what we’re already doing without some of those barriers,” Petersmith said.
The van will primarily help with the team’s pediatric lead-screening efforts and allow it to have more of a presence at family-oriented events.
Mutually beneficial
The new mobile health unit helps meet the needs of communities throughout Nebraska and western Iowa by meeting people where they are.
“It’s not easy for many people to find the time, transportation or money to pay for health care,” said Tracy Madden-McMahon, president and CEO of Methodist Hospital Foundation. “Our donors know this and help us think beyond the walls of our hospitals and clinics. Their gifts make it possible for caregivers to go into neighborhoods and connect families with affordable services and screenings.”
Each NMC community engagement event is staffed by college faculty and students, primarily in nursing programs.
“It’s especially meaningful to us that the new mobile health unit brings access and education together,” said Betsy Murphy, a trustee of the Harper Family Foundation. “Students at Nebraska Methodist College want to improve people’s lives. By training on the unit, they’re taking an important step, moving their learning from the classroom to the community.”
“The benefit of what we do in community engagement is that every relationship is mutually beneficial,” Petersmith said. “Not only are we addressing a community health need that’s identified through networking and conversations with our community partners, but we’re also teaching future health professionals.”
Community partners
NMC’s Center for Diversity and Community Engagement team partners with a variety of organizations throughout Omaha and surrounding communities for regular clinic events, including at Open Door Mission and Youth Emergency Services (YES).
The mobile unit heads to the Open Door Mission’s Lydia House on a monthly basis. The team conducts pediatric wellness screenings, including developmental milestone, hearing and vision checks, for children who may not have pediatricians or access to routine checkups.
At the beginning of 2024, NMC teamed with YES to complement its efforts in providing a safe place for youth and young adults experiencing homelessness or housing insecurities. On nearly a weekly basis, the NMC team provides care coordination and educational resources to help address the unique needs of young adults.
In addition to continuing its established partnerships, the outreach team plans to use the new mobile unit to take its lead and hemoglobin screening tools on the road to rural Nebraska, where — according to Petersmith — there’s a high need and low screening rate. In June, the van made its way to Niobrara to help with screening efforts at the North Central District Health Department’s Healthy Living Expo.
“The van is helping us truly live out our motto, which is to be where people live, work, play, pray and learn,” Petersmith said.
