Mobile clinics provide COVID-19 testing and vaccinations in Mt. Olive

Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine’s brand new Mobile Health Education Clinics (MHEC) debuted in June during a week-long local mission trip serving migrant farm workers and their families in Mt. Olive, NC.

Overall, the team provided health assessments, COVID testing, and administered the Johnson and Johnson COVID vaccine for 76 patients. They enrolled 100 patients, including children, for continued follow-up and primary care through the Department of Global Health’s mobile and free clinic offerings.

The MHEC fleet includes two 40-ft. units and a 26-ft. unit. The 40-ft. units each have two full-sized treatment rooms and are equipped to provide any service available in a family practitioner’s office, from general health screenings to minor surgical procedures.

“This has afforded us the ability to really expand,” shared Dr. Joe Cacippoio, chair of community and global health and associate professor of emergency medicine. “We are 100% fully equipped to do full-fledged primary care for communities that have no access to healthcare otherwise.”

“This [first trip] has been a real success,” he continued. “We’re identifying so many people that really need ongoing care. I think I’m going to have an overbooked clinic for the next several weeks!”

CUSOM’s medical outreach team worked alongside two other NGOs throughout the week that were providing diapers and supplies for new moms, and meals for patients coming through each evening.

“The real success [this week] was student education and the ability to offer care for people who have no other resource,” shared Dr. Cacippoio.

Dr Joe Cacippoio meets with a patient during an evening clinic.

Medical outreach trips – both local and abroad – provide students with direct access and experience learning, serving and providing medical care first-hand with rural and underserved populations. Students not only hone their clinical skills, but they learn the importance of developing trust and connection with their patients.

“The students see how important it is to relate directly and develop a relationship with their patients,” said Dr. Capippoio. “They take everything they’re learning in medical school and are able to put it right to work and see how it can be effective. That kind of first-hand experience will impact them as a future physician or healthcare provider.”

“We talk a lot about empathy and connecting with patients,” echoed Mr. Doug Short, Administrative Director of the Department of Community and Global Health. “Today, I asked the students to focus on three things – eye contact, facial expression and body posture. Each of these things communicates to patients that [the student] is present with them.”

Brittany Lugmayer, a rising second-year medical student, shared her experience serving in Mt. Olive – her first medical outreach trip with CUSOM.

Brittany Lugmayer, MS-II (left) helps with patient registration.

“I think it really helps you see the difference between learning medicine and doing medicine,” said Lugmayer. “I want [patients] to be able to learn to make healthy choices that impact them. That’s important, especially in a rural area, because people don’t have access to [healthcare]. I like helping to others help themselves and making it sustainable so that it’s something they can continue doing … it’s uplifting to see how grateful the patients are for your time and care. It reminds you why you’re here and why you want to be a doctor.”

The Mt. Olive outreach was also Emmanuel Ayeni’s first trip with CUSOM. A rising second-year MSBS student, Ayeni was excited to gain new experience alongside physicians and PAs to give back to the underserved community.

Emmanuel Ayeni, 2nd year MSBS student, working with a patient during an evening clinic with the NC migrant farm workers.

“Seeing all of the healthcare workers and medical students doing hard work – it inspired me,” he shared. “I haven’t had very much experience working with underserved populations, so I thought it would be great to jump in and volunteer … to do my part.”

Ms. Jaclyn Blair, PA-C, works with students during medical outreach events and weekly at the Community Care Clinic. She shared how these opportunities are great for students because they can spend more time with the patient in a healthcare setting than they are able to during clinical skills labs.

“The students get to see patients that have multiple problems at once and sit with them for 30-45 minutes – collecting a complete history and practicing their skills on their own without a provider with them,” she explained. “Then they come back out, ask us questions, and we can affirm what they’ve found and go in and see the patient together. It gives them a good experience … and I think it can help them with empathy as well.

Ms. Jaclyn Blair, PA-C, talking with a patient.`

“We are also able to see that there are different ways to get access and to care for underserved populations. That’s important because it’s not something you always just have a class on … but there are people willing to give their time, money and efforts to see people who don’t have the resources otherwise. Hopefully, it can open their eyes and heart to maybe one day also do the same.”

MHEC debut in Duplin County.