Washington State University today [Wednesday] unveiled a new mobile health unit that will travel the state and provide care for people, especially in rural areas.
The mobile unit has two exam rooms and a medication dispensary. Faculty members and students from the colleges of medicine, nursing and pharmacy will provide care.
College of Medicine Dean John Tomkowiak says money to buy and customize the 40-foot vehicle came from a private gift.
“It was from a donor by the name of William A. Crosetto. He’s a cattle rancher, a former Olympian, and he has a passion for all things rural," Tomkowiak said. "One of those things was, he really wanted people in rural areas to see a doctor face-to-face, and so they donated $1 million for our first health care coach, $500,000 to purchase the coach and then $500,000 over a number of years to help us continue to operate it.”
Tomkowiak says the unit will eventually travel to every county in Washington, providing primary and urgent care and preventive screenings.