Maine Family Planning’s Mobile Medical Unit, known as Health on Wheels, is bringing reproductive health services directly to individuals who face challenges accessing traditional healthcare settings. The unit, which serves the Lewiston-to-Bangor stretch with scheduled stops in between, offers a variety of services including Pap smears, wound care, STI testing, birth control, and HIV prevention.
The unit’s team, led by Mobile Medical Unit Coordinator Amy Cummings and nurse practitioners Ellen Taraschi and Tiffany Eaton, engages individuals in need, including homeless women and those affected by xylazine-related injuries. The goal is to build trust with individuals who have had difficult experiences with traditional healthcare settings in the past.
The team also provides information about Maine Family Planning’s telehealth platform and helps schedule appointments at physical clinics if needed. Anyone is welcome to approach the unit for services without judgment or hesitation.
The mobile unit’s partnership with the Church of Safe Injection focuses on wound care for injuries caused by xylazine, a substance found in street drugs. As the team continues to reach individuals across the region, they are always looking to partner with organizations interested in collaborating to provide essential healthcare services to those in need.
For inquiries about partnering with Maine Family Planning, contact augustammu@mainefamilyplanning.org or call 1-207-922-3222. The initiative has already seen success in reaching and assisting individuals who may not have had access to such crucial services otherwise.
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Photo credit www.centralmaine.com
