Access to quality healthcare remains a challenge for many residents along the Texas-Mexico border, especially those who are underserved or uninsured. Since 1998, the mobile health clinic operated by the Department of Internal Medicine at McGovern Medical School in UTHealth Houston has dedicated itself to bridging this gap. Offering free medical consultations, basic health services, and health education, the clinic aims to serve both children and adults in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, emphasizing long-term management of chronic diseases and preventive care.
Our mission centers on providing comprehensive, family-centered healthcare. Whether you need primary care or specialty services, our team is here to support your journey toward improved health outcomes. To learn more or schedule an appointment, call us today at (956) 330-5014.
Services Offered
The mobile clinic provides a wide range of health services designed to meet the diverse needs of the community. For minor illnesses and injuries, we offer free consultations, along with educational support on nutrition, physical activity, and cancer prevention. Patients with chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and thyroid disorders receive ongoing management and tailored assistance. When necessary, the clinic refers patients to local healthcare providers or specialists, who are accessible via telemedicine to ensure expert care.
In the realm of primary care, we address ongoing issues like diabetes management, hypertension control, and thyroid health. For acute illnesses, services include treatment for upper respiratory infections, allergies, colds, flu testing (when available), sinus infections, sore throats (with strep testing when possible), asthma, and bronchitis. We also handle head, ear, eye, and skin conditions such as minor headaches, ear infections, eye irritation, skin rashes, and infection management, including stitch removal.
Digestive and urinary health are also prioritized, with services for abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, constipation, and infections of the bladder and kidneys. Musculoskeletal issues like muscle strains and joint sprains are treated effectively through our team’s expertise.
Preventive health services are a core component of our offerings. These include wellness exams such as breast and pelvic exams, pap smears, flu and COVID-19 vaccinations, TB testing (when available), fasting screenings for cholesterol and glucose, blood pressure checks, and physicals for sports, employment, or school entry. Additional services include colposcopies, echocardiograms, EKGs, referrals for laboratory testing, mammograms, radiology, and diabetes management programs.
We also assist patients in applying for pharmaceutical-sponsored patient assistance programs, which may require proof of income, residency, or other documentation. Patients are encouraged to bring recent lab results, medication lists, and vaccination records to appointments.
Appointments are preferred to ensure timely care; please call (956) 330-5014 to book your visit.
Eligible Patients
Our services are open to individuals of all ages who lack health insurance or a designated primary care provider. Patients with existing insurance or those enrolled in Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), state clinics, or similar programs are encouraged to see their primary care physicians when possible. The mobile clinic aims to serve those most in need, ensuring equitable access to essential healthcare. For questions about eligibility, contact our staff at (956) 330-5014.
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Clinic Locations and Schedules
The mobile clinic operates at various sites throughout the year, including schools and community centers in San Benito, Harlingen, and Rio Hondo. The schedule is as follows:
- San Benito High School: September 5, 2024 – November 8, 2024
450 S. Williams Rd., San Benito, TX
- Texas State Technical College (TSTC): November 11, 2024 – February 28, 2025
1902 North Loop 499, Harlingen, TX
- Rio Hondo High School: March 4, 2024 – May 31, 2024
22547 State Hwy. 345, Rio Hondo, TX
- Liberty Memorial Middle School: June 3, 2024 – August 2, 2024
31579 Farm Road 2893, San Benito, TX
Clinic hours generally run from 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM in the mornings and 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM in the afternoons, with some variations on Fridays. Please note that dates, times, and locations are subject to change.
More News About the Mobile Clinic
The mobile health initiative has garnered recognition in local media, including features like Out in Front (Mar 2018) highlighting heart health outreach, and coverage by the Houston Chronicle emphasizing efforts to reduce cervical cancer deaths in the Rio Grande Valley. These stories demonstrate the impactful role of mobile clinics in addressing health disparities and expanding access.
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