by Suzanne Roberts, CEO Virginia B. Andes Volunteer Community Clinic
For over a year, the Virginia B. Andes Mobile Medical Clinic has traveled throughout Charlotte County, delivering high-quality, compassionate care directly to uninsured residents where they live. Rooted in the Virginia B. Andes Volunteer Community Clinic Mission to serve the uninsured, those most in need, our Mobile Medical Clinic operates 5 days a week and provides primary care, semi-urgent care, wound care, chronic illness management, limited pharmaceuticals, and on-site exams at 27 established community locations, with additional stops currently in development. This unwavering commitment ensures that life-saving care remains within reach for individuals and families who might otherwise go without.
We continue to be deeply grateful to the Charlotte County Board of County Commissioners, whose generous grant funding supported the development and first year of services for our Mobile Medical Clinic. Their investment has made it possible for us to deliver critical care to hundreds of uninsured residents across the county and to build a more equitable and resilient healthcare system for the future.
We also extend our heartfelt thanks to the Charlotte County Department of Health for their continued support of the Mobile Medical Clinic. Their partnership and encouragement are vital to our mission of serving the uninsured in Charlotte County with dignity and excellence.
On Thursdays and Fridays, our Mobile Medical Clinic partners with the Charlotte County Department of Health to provide expanded public health services, including health screenings, immunizations, dental education, and referrals for further care. This vital collaboration strengthens preventative care efforts and helps close critical gaps in healthcare access for the community.
Between January and April 2025 alone, our Mobile Medical Clinic served more than 300 individuals, with 1700 outreach services completed and dispensed nearly 440 prescriptions directly on board. In response to patient needs, Our Mobile Medical Clinic recently integrated an i-Stat machine, enabling on-site Chem-8 panel testing for faster diagnostics and more immediate treatment decisions.
Our Mobile Medical Clinic rotates through key areas across Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda, and Englewood, with a steadfast mission to reduce barriers to healthcare and improve health outcomes for uninsured residents.
To provide wraparound services, our Mobile Medical Clinic partners with key community organizations, including but not limited to:
- Charlotte Behavioral Health Care – for mental health and substance abuse services and referrals.
- Charlotte Cares Center – supporting our unhoused men and women with critical support services.
- Charlotte County Transit – offering free transportation to Mobile Medical Clinic sites.
- Gulfcoast South AHEC – supporting tobacco cessation efforts.
These partnerships enhance our Mobile Medical Clinic’s impact, allowing patients to receive comprehensive, whole-person care, all in one accessible and trusted setting.
The Virginia B. Andes Mobile Medical Clinic is more than a vehicle; it’s a lifeline of hope and healing. By bringing care directly into neighborhoods, it empowers individuals, strengthens community health, and ensures no one is left behind.
To learn more about our Mobile Medical Clinic services or to schedule a visit, please contact Angelica Asperilla, Mobile Medical Clinic Coordinator, at Aasperilla@volunteercare.org or Mobile: (941) 339-2895.
