SB Neighborhood Clinics’ New Mobile Unit Ready to Go!

The mid-week downpour of rain and clouds did not stop Dr. Mahdi Ashrafian, CEO of the Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics, from moving forward, literally, with the official launch of the center’s Mobile Health Unit on Thursday, August 10. The ribbon-cutting ceremony took place at the Santa Barbara City College parking lot. 

Joining were former clinic CEO Dr. Chuck Fenzi, Board Chair Brian G. Gough, Board Vice-Chair Norman Colavincenzo, Treasurer and former Santa Barbara City Administrator Jim Armstrong, board members Stephen Hicks, Brian Knowles, Jerry Menchaca, and Melinda Staveley. Also making formal statements of congratulations were Santa Barbara Mayor Randy Rowse, and the administrative representatives from Senator Monique Limón and Gregg Hart’s offices.

Rowse stated that the mobile unit represented what is amazing about the Santa Barbara community and its philanthropy. He lauded the clinic for working proactively on healthcare – both physical and mental, aka behavioral. 

After the ceremony, I took a tour of the mobile health unit with Fenzi. It has two fully equipped exam rooms, a reception area, a bathroom, a telehealth computer, and is fully accessible with a lift. 

Ashrafian came on board, and we talked about the unit. He shared that when he became the CEO, he wanted a mobile health unit to service the community. The center had an old grant for a dental mobile health unit but lost that grant. In talking about his plan to have a mobile unit with a philanthropic person from Montecito, they fully supported his dream by donating the funds for the entire unit, which was made in Ohio and delivered within three months. There is also a dental mobile health unit that does not have on-board exams, but rather carries the medical team and supplies around. The mobile health unit will be staffed with current Clinic personnel, and vary in who is on board, utilizing a doctor or nurse practitioner with a medical assistant or physician’s assistant for health care, and a specialized practitioner for behavioral health. 

Ashrafian stated, “We are excited to be able to bring health care to people. Our first priority is the elementary and middle public schools within the Santa Barbara Unified and Goleta school districts. We are open to going to all the districts including Montecito, anywhere there is the need. Later we will incorporate high schools, farm workers and their families, and local shelters.”  

411: www.sbclinics.org