Mobile Medical Unit (MMU) & TC Street Medicine

One of the ways Traverse Health Clinic is able to reach the people in our community who are struggling the most is with our Mobile Medical Unit (MMU). The MMU is a designated Traverse Health Clinic service site made possible through approval and funding from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).

The premise behind the MMU's services is simple: If you want to make a real impact on someone’s health, particularly someone who is struggling just to meet their basic needs, you have to meet them where they are. The MMU and TC Street Medicine allows us to do just that. Together, we bring care directly to unhoused families and individuals at shelters, encampments and community resource locations.

TC Street Medicine evolved out of Traverse Health Clinic’s outreach work at Safe Harbor emergency shelter, going back to 2017. Today, the initiative is a collaboration between Traverse Health Clinic and Munson Healthcare. 

With the TC Street Medicine team, the MMU visits Goodwill Inn and Jubilee House on Tuesday mornings, year-round. In addition, from May through October, the team visits unsheltered encampments in the community on Fridays. During the winter months, the teams brings their care and services to Central United Methodist Church and Jubilee house on Friday mornings. 

Since we launched our MMU services in 2022, nearly 400 individuals have had close to 1,000 community outreach visits. These visits range from urgent medical care to treat an acute illness or injury, a visit to manage a chronic condition like diabetes, hypertension, or asthma, or a consultation with a behavioral health provider. Patients also receive immunizations, peer recovery support, and care management through the MMU and TC Street Medicine. 

 

 

 

MMU in the News:

'Street Medicine' Saves Lives, Supporting Access to Housing Resources - Munson Healthcare, Jul. 25, 2023

Taking it to the Street: Collaboration Provides Health Services for Homeless - Record Eagle, Jul. 29, 2023

Mobile Clinic Brings Healthcare to the Homeless in Grand Traverse County - UpNorthLive, Aug. 1,  2023

Traverse Health Clinic, Munson Medical Center Set Up Mobile Health Services in Grand Traverse County - 9&10 News, Aug. 4, 2023

Inside the Local Partnership to Bring Better Healthcare to People Experiencing Homelessness - Traverse Ticker,  Aug. 16, 2023