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PodcastHope on Wheels: Healing Our Community, One Woman at a Time
Every woman's medical journey is more than just a series of tests and treatments. It's a story of courage, compassion, and healthcare professionals who see beyond the immediate medical need to the entire human experience.
The UPMC Women's Mobile Health Unit isn't just a medical facility on wheels; it's a comprehensive support system that travels directly to those who need it most. Its mission goes far beyond traditional healthcare, addressing the holistic needs of women in the community. It’s a lifeline for women who have fallen through the cracks of traditional medical systems, a beacon of hope rolling through Central Pennsylvania.
Imagine a safe, welcoming space where women receive complete medical screenings, reproductive health services, critical vaccinations, and emotional support. The unit offers HPV vaccinations, STD testing, comprehensive exams, pregnancy testing, specialized medical referrals, and crucial health education.
Currently, the unit operates just one day a week, providing essential services to approximately 38 women from diverse backgrounds every month. Consistently, about 65% of these women are experiencing homelessness, making these services not just a medical intervention but a critical lifeline.
Each month, the unit performs around 15 mammograms, administers 3 HPV vaccinations, treats 6 patients for specific health concerns, and makes multiple critical referrals to specialized clinics. These aren’t just numbers—they represent lives touched, health restored, and hope renewed.
The support provided goes beyond medical treatment. The unit also distributes period supplies, warm clothing like coats, hats, and gloves, hygiene items, and condoms. They connect women to critical social services, offer support for those experiencing food insecurity, and provide help for uninsured patients.
Thanks to a Life Changing gift, we are on track to purchase our very own UPMC Women's Mobile Health Unit, which will be dedicated solely to this vital work. However, we still need help to fully support the unit, the staff, and the patients who rely on its services. The ongoing costs of running this program, ensuring the staff is trained, and keeping the unit stocked with the necessary medical supplies are essential to its success.
This important work is made possible by the generosity of donors to the UPMC Pinnacle Foundation, Universal Media Group, the support of local partners, and UPMC in Central Pa. While the mobile unit is already impacting lives, with your support, we will be able to reach so many more patients in need.
Denise Turoczi, who leads the initiative, explains, "The UPMC Women's Mobile Health Unit is more than just a healthcare service—it's a bridge to a healthier, more connected community. Every woman who steps onto that mobile unit is treated with care, dignity, and respect. The services we provide could be the difference between a woman receiving life-saving care or falling through the cracks."
Dr. Joshua Kesterson, who is deeply involved with the project, adds, "Access to healthcare is a fundamental right, but for many women in our community, it's not always accessible. The UPMC Women's Mobile Health Unit is not just providing care—it's meeting women where they are, breaking down barriers, and offering them a path toward better health."
“The UPMC Women's Mobile Health Unit is more than just a healthcare service—it's a bridge to a healthier, more connected community. Every woman who steps onto that mobile unit is treated with care, dignity, and respect. The services we provide could be the difference between a woman receiving life-saving care or falling through the cracks.”