Wellness on Wheels

Mobile health care in Wake County.

Meet “Miss Penny” the 36-foot physical and mental wellness bus. In 2017, the UNC Center for Excellence in Community Mental Health and the Foundation of Hope expanded the UNC School of Nursing’s traveling clinic with the Wellness on Wheels Bus. The free mobile clinic, open to all, travels to low-income areas in Wake County to promote wellness, assess those who are at risk for mental and physical health problems, and assist individuals in managing chronic disease.

Services Provided

Additional services at the “Dorcas Ministries” location.

• HIV/STD Testing: Free HIV/STD testing by the Wake County Human Services Department on the first Tuesday of the month. For an appointment, please call or text 919–827–7610
• Retinal Scans: Free retinal scans to detect eye diseases are offered by Prevent Blindness North Carolina. Scans are offered once a quarter from 10 a.m.– 2 p.m.
• Dental Evaluations: Children 0–20 years old qualify for a free dental evaluation administered by the Wake County Department of Human Services.

Locations

Email son_mobilehealth@unc.edu to make an appointment for a virtual or telehealth visit.

Visit mobilehealthclinic.web.unc.edu for additional information.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a charge for the services at the Mobile Health Clinic? No. All of our services are free.

Do I need health insurance to be seen? No. You do not need health insurance. We are here to serve all.

Do I need to provide a form of personal identification? No. We do not ask for any form of identification.

Is my health information shared with anyone? No. Your personal health records are not shared with any other entities and are only managed by our nurse practitioner.

Is the cholesterol test free? Yes. We check your cholesterol at no charge.

For the cholesterol test, will you draw my blood with a syringe/needle? No. We will prick your finger and will draw a bit of blood from it. This blood is placed on a Cholestech machine that will read the sample taken.

How long does it take to get cholesterol test results? Your cholesterol results are available during your visit with the nurse practitioner. Usually in less than 15 minutes to process.

Do I have to be fasting to check my cholesterol? Yes. We recommend that patients fast from midnight the night before, as this increases the accuracy of the test.

Can I drink water before my cholesterol test? Yes. We recommend that you drink plenty of water before your test. This may facilitate blood drawing.

Do you offer dental services at the bus? No. But a representative from the Wake County Human Services Smiles at Sunnybrook program conducts dental screenings monthly dental screenings for children 0-20. The program offers free dental cleanings and X-Rays for children without dental health insurance.

Do you offer full vision exams? No. But if you don’t have vision insurance, our nurses can conduct an acuity test and refer you to Prevent Blindness North Carolina. Prevent Blindness, based on your eligibility criteria, will connect you with an eye doctor.

Do I need an appointment for an HIV/STD test? Yes. To schedule an appointment please call or text 919-819-0365.