In 1999, the Greater West Hollywood Food & Health Coalition, a volunteer organization that serves food to the homeless and transient population in West Hollywood, reached out to the UCLA School of Public Health, saying their clients were in desperate need of health care. The project has since grown to include students from UCLA's schools of Medicine, Public Health, Law, and Letters and Science to help with medical, social and legal needs.
The Mobile Clinic, launched in 2002, is run by students with oversight from an attending physician. Volunteers record medical histories, provide treatment or referrals, dispense medication and supplies and help clients with social or legal issues. Services range from basic check-ups and disease prevention and education to treatment of cuts, infections, coughs, etc.
The Mobile Clinic also operates at three sites in Santa Monica, including a homeless shelter and mental health center. The Reproductive Health Outreach Project operates out of Common Ground, an HIV testing and treatment center, and educates clients about responsible sexual and reproductive health issues.
For more information go to www.mobileclinicproject.org/
