Fiscal Year 2023 Capital Assistance for Hurricane Response and Recovery Efforts (CARE) - Name of Project and Contact: The name of the project is Sandhills Medical Mobile Unit. The contact person is Dr. Ernest Wardlaw, CEO, at stan.wardlaw@sandhillsmedical.org. Sandhills Medical Foundation, Inc. is a federally qualified health center with eight (8) sites providing medical, behavioral health, psychiatry, chiropractic, and pediatric services. SMF is located in four (4) counties from the middle to upper eastern part of South Carolina. Brief Information on SMF: We aim to bring mobile health services to all our sites and service area, providing additional access during severe weather and access need. SMF proposes to purchase its first mobile unit. The 36 feet state of the art mobile unit will serve as an additional access site for patients unable to seek care during hurricanes, tropical storms, and other inclement weather disrupting transportation and SMF facilities. Description of Problem: Hurricane season starts in June, and South Carolina is likely to experience a hurricane during August and September. According to South Carolina Emergency Management Department www.scemd.org, SC is one of the most vulnerable states impacted by hurricanes and tropical storms. SMF sites traditionally lose power during adverse weather; thus, the service area loses power. Several sites have generators, yet, patients' transportation and power become limited during storms. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts twelve to seventeen storms, five to nine becoming hurricanes, and one to four becoming severe. SMF's Kershaw County service area has been experiencing earthquakes, and part of the service area resides in what is called Carolina Alley, which is prone to tornados. SMF will provide medical and behavioral services determined by the community's needs during disasters. The mobile unit will also provide enhanced access to school-aged children and adults with limited access to health and mental health services. SMF plans to collaborate with various partners during disasters to ensure coordination and expanded access. Amount of funds requested: The project costs $500,440.00 for a new mobile unit with two exam rooms, one serving as a counselor's office as necessary. SMF requests $490,000.00 in CARE funding to support the $10,440 from patient revenue SMF plans to utilize. Objectives of this Project: 1. Increase health and mental health care access after a disaster. 2. Increase access to health care for adults in an underserved area of the upper western part of Kershaw County. 3. Increase school-aged children's access to health care and mental health care within the Sumter, Kershaw, and Lancaster Counties service areas. 4. To educate and build health awareness on health issues. 5. Conduct preventive health screenings such as diabetes, vision, HIV, colon cancer, and other rapid or point-of-care tests. Summary and Expected Results: The SMF mobile unit will operate anytime there is a disaster, on weekends for health fairs or events, and Monday to Friday during regular operations hours. With an agreed-upon timeline, SMF will use a 3rd parity company to build the mobile unit. The expected results are increased access, quality care, and strengthened partnerships.
