Public health launches mobile clinic; ribbon-cutting set for Sept. 24

Blackhawk County Public Health told supervisors Aug. 26 that the county is preparing to launch a mobile clinic and has scheduled a ribbon-cutting for Sept. 24, with the first public service event planned Oct. 1.

Rick (public health director) reported that the mobile clinic arrived Aug. 15 and staff training has already begun; the county will stage a ribbon-cutting on Sept. 24 after the regular September board-of-health meeting and open the clinic for its first community event Oct. 1 in partnership with the food bank and Operation Threshold.

Public health also said nursing staff are now fully staffed after a multi-year shortage, which the department said will help operate the mobile clinic. Environmental health staff completed more than 500 temporary food and mobile-unit inspections over the summer, the department reported. The county's mosquito surveillance program detected West Nile virus early in the season, and staff emphasized ongoing education about preventing mosquito bites.

Board members asked about driver training for the mobile clinic; staff said roughly 10 to 12 people were on the training list and that clinic staff will be prioritized for drivers, with backups available. The ribbon-cutting was described as open to elected officials, media, department heads and public health staff.

Officials asked staff to confirm the Sept. 24 start time; public health said the event was scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m.

Public health did not request additional county funding during the presentation; staff committed to follow up on any logistical questions and to coordinate the ribbon-cutting and public event with partner organizations.

Attribution: statements about staffing, inspections, the mobile-clinic arrival, training and event timing were made by Rick, Public Health (identified in the meeting as a public-health official).