The College of Health and Human Services at Fresno State unveiled two new, state-of-the-art mobile health units on April 5, bringing the future of health education to the campus and the San Joaquin Valley. 

Emblazoned with Fresno State’s vibrant signature colors and Bulldogs logos, the mobile health units usher in a new era for the program that has been nearly 10 years in the making. From previously having one mobile unit to now having two, the expansion of the new, larger units mean students and faculty now have the capacity to serve even more patients within this collaborative clinical experience.

The new mobile health units were made possible by $4 million in state funds secured by Assemblymember Joaquin Arambula in an effort to expand services and bring the latest in health care technology to the forefront. The Fresno State mobile health unit is run by Fresno State nursing faculty and students to provide free health care services and screenings to underserved communities in Fresno County. 

“Our Fresno State nursing students and their faculty leaders are skilled and compassionate, and I am confident these new mobile health units will help enhance and extend the wonderful work they undertake throughout our region,” Arambula said.

Designed by Odulair, the new mobile units are equipped with high-tech features that will enhance student learning and patient outcomes, including: 

  • Exam rooms that can be transformed based on clinical needs. With internal walls that move, the mobile units can convert into three private exam rooms for individual visits or one large classroom space to accommodate services, such as flu clinics. 
  • Exam tables are now multi-functional and have the capacity to function as a standalone table or chair, based on specific assessment needs. 
  • The mobile units are self-sustainable and run on solar power, ensuring a quiet, professional health care experience for patients and providers. 
  • A wheelchair lift ensures the mobile unit is ADA compliant and accessible to patients of all abilities. 

Of the two new mobile units, one has already been in service since the beginning of the spring semester. Bea Hartung, a fifth-semester nursing student, has been one of over 60 students who have volunteered on the new mobile unit this semester. She said the newer features have been a game changer.

“I distinctly remember seeing the new, state-of-the-art mobile health unit and being in awe,” Hartung said. “My personal favorite new feature in this new mobile unit is the fully functioning obstetric and gynecological exam chair, which will allow future practitioners and students to address patients’ concerns within that area. Having the new units will also allow me the chance to practice working within an interdisciplinary team – a skill that is invaluable to working in health care today.”

Second-semester nursing student, Trevor MacDonald, said one of the best parts about the new mobile units is the added space. 

“The new mobile units have larger, more functional exam rooms and the capacity for more nursing students to volunteer at once, which means we are able to see even more patients,” MacDonald said. “Providing this patient education is a huge part of nursing and in helping to improve health literacy of our communities. The thoughtful and articulate design of the new mobile units gives me a great sense of pride in the work that I do.” 

Both students said the ability to be in position to help even more diverse populations and communities is the best aspect of having the new units. Since the original mobile health unit rolled out in fall 2015, nearly 18,000 patients have received health care services, with an additional 382 served since the introduction of the new unit.

“These units are not merely vehicles; they are beacons of hope, symbolizing our pledge to enhance health care accessibility and outcomes in Fresno County and beyond,” said Fresno State President, Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval. “Behind each statistic we uncover a story of hope, healing and compassion. Our students’ experiences on these units are nothing short of transformative. They witness firsthand the diverse needs of our community and the profound impact they can have through compassionate care.”

For more information about the mobile health units and to learn about upcoming dates, visit the mobile health unit website.