Salinas Valley Health Addresses Health Needs in Greenfield Salinas Valley Health Mobile Clinic Adds Additional Location Nurses Hand Out Diapers on Sunday

Media Contact: Karina Rusk
831-759-1843

May 20, 2022 – The Salinas Valley Health Salinas Valley Health Mobile Clinic is closing in on 7,500 patient visits and offering additional free support for underserved communities in Monterey County.

The schedule now includes extended-hours in Greenfield and the Salinas Valley Health Mobile Clinic will be available on both Saturday, May 21 and Sunday, May 22 from 11am-2pm each day at the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex in Salinas. The special Saturday session is in addition to the ongoing Sunday hours at the Soccer Complex. Sunday’s schedule also incorporates the distribution of thousands of diapers for families with infants. The free products will be handed out by Salinas Valley Health nurses who organized a diaper drive during National Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week, which took place earlier this month.

The nursing staff say diaper need is a silent crisis and too often parents in low income households make due by stretching the time between diaper changes or re-using diapers, both of which put babies at risk of infections, diaper rash and other health problems. Rationing diapers is also a contributing factor to stress and depression in mothers. With the support of Salinas Valley Health hospital staff, the Salinas Valley Health Foundation and Children’s Miracle network partner, Costco, the nurses took in 150 cases of diapers.

“We are so excited with the response we had to our project,” says Adrienne Leyva, RN in Salinas Valley Health Labor and Delivery. “It’s going to be such a feeling of satisfaction to get those baby products into the homes of families who need them. We look forward to seeing the personal impact of our initiative.”

The diaper distribution on Sunday comes as the Salinas Valley Health Salinas Valley Health Mobile Clinic announces it has provided 7,474 patient visits since launching in January 2020, administered 1,226 COVID-19 vaccines, and conducted 1746 COVID-19 tests.

“Some of our regular patients have become like family,” says Lynette Fitzgerald, Salinas Valley Health Salinas Valley Health Mobile Clinic manager. “Every day we hear stories about how we have made a difference in their lives and in some cases saved their lives. It’s extremely gratifying.”

In addition to the diaper distribution on Sunday, ongoing free medical equipment and support supplies include grocery gift cards and nonperishable food bags to address food insecurity, gas cards and Uber gift cards to assist with transportation needs, free blood pressure machines for at-risk patients, biometric scales for at-risk patients, glucose monitors and kits, blankets, toys and stickers for children and additional items as needed.

The Salinas Valley Health Salinas Valley Health Mobile Clinic operates five days a week, with a six-location regular schedule. The 40-foot-long customized mobile vehicle houses two exam rooms and waiting area. The unit also has Wi-Fi, access for the disabled and laboratory capabilities.

The Salinas Valley Health Mobile Clinic is designed to offer families real time medical support, removing barriers such as expense, travel or fear. Services include primary care, simple urgent care, health screenings, immunizations, education, and referral capability for chronic medical conditions. For more on free services, locations and hours of operation, visit svmh.com/mobileclinic.