Central Oregon Community College has taken a step towards healthcare accessibility with the introduction of a new mobile health clinic. Made possible through a grant from Deschutes County, the clinic visits the campus twice a month, offering a range of medical services directly to students. The clinic aims to address common barriers to healthcare access among college students, including transportation limitations and time constraints.

With an initial focus on sexual and reproductive health services, the clinic plans to expand its offerings to include vaccinations and general check-ups in the future.”We know that lack of access to healthcare can be a significant barrier for students,” says Student Life Assistant Director Lindsay Buccafurni. “By bringing the clinic physically to campus, we aim to make these services as accessible as possible for our student population.”

While some services can be covered by insurance, the clinic operates on a sliding scale fee structure, making it possible for uninsured students to receive care at little to no cost.

“We want to make sure that students have access,” says Buccafurni. “That’s why our emphasis is on providing services for free or at a very low cost.”

When scheduling appointments or accessing walk-in services, the process is confidential and convenient for students. Appointments can be scheduled in advance by calling Deschutes County Health Services or visiting their website.
During its initial phase, the clinic’s schedule and availability may vary as organizers assess the student population’s needs.

However, there is optimism about the impact of the clinic on campus life. “We’re trying to bring as many wraparound services as we can,” says Buccafurni. “Being a student is about more than just attending classes. We want our students to feel supported holistically, and having access to healthcare is a crucial part of that support.”

Walk-ins are also welcome, with students able to approach the mobile clinic directly during its scheduled visits to campus.
As the clinic becomes more established on campus, there is hope that it will become a staple resource for COCC students, providing essential healthcare services in a convenient and accessible manner. The success of the clinic will ultimately be driven by demand, and students are encouraged to take advantage of this resource.