New pediatric mobile clinic continues legacy of caring for Fort Worth children
The new Pediatric Mobile Clinic.
For more than a decade, UNT Health Fort Worth's Pediatric Mobile Clinic has brought health care directly to children who might otherwise go without it. On Oct. 30, UNT Health celebrated the next chapter of that mission with the unveiling of a new mobile clinic that will continue serving families across Fort Worth.
The new unit replaces an existing mobile clinic and will begin providing services in November, with clinics planned in Stop Six, Morningside, Southside and Northside. Children from birth through age 18 can receive well-child exams, sick visits, vaccinations, school physicals, hearing and vision screenings, and point-of-care laboratory testing at no cost to families served.
The unveiling brought together university leaders, health care providers, community partners and supporters to celebrate a program rooted in the belief that every child deserves access to quality health care.
A vision rooted in education and compassion
The Pediatric Mobile Clinic program began taking shape in 2014, when Christina Robinson, MD, now medical director of the clinic and an associate professor at UNT Health, began exploring ways to address the barriers preventing children from receiving medical care.
Members of UNT Health Fort Worth's Pediatric Mobile Clinic team are recognized during the unveiling of the new mobile clinic Oct. 30. Pictured from left are Julia Marut, Healthy Steps specialist with MHMR; Joe Wascomb, Pediatric Mobile Clinic program manager; Dr. Christina Robinson, Pediatric Mobile Clinic medical director; and Mandy Mendez, Pediatric Mobile Clinic nurse practitioner. At the podium is Dr. Priya Bui, chair of the Department of Pediatrics and Women's Health.
That vision became a reality in 2015 with support from the late Walter Rainwater, whose commitment to education and community well-being helped launch the original pediatric mobile clinic.
Walter's wife, Lori Rainwater, attended the unveiling and reflected on the experiences that shaped his commitment to helping children succeed.
As a former teacher, Walter understood that a child's ability to learn was often affected by circumstances beyond the classroom, including health problems and unmet basic needs.
“We have to meet these needs to get them educated. Give them a fair chance to learn,” Lori recalled him saying.
She explained that Walter recognized how difficult it could be for families to access medical services, particularly when they were already struggling with financial or personal challenges.
“Walter realized that there's so many barriers to getting care,” she said.
Lori Rainwater stands as the audience remembers her husband, Walter, whose support made the mobile clinic a reality.
Those concerns helped inspire conversations around their kitchen table about bringing health care directly to children at school. Working with UNT Health, they explored the possibility of creating a mobile clinic that could meet families where they were.
Lori also remembered her husband's willingness to find solutions whenever he learned about a need in the community.
“He was a yes man,” she said. “He was like, let's get it done.”
During the unveiling, Kimberly Russell, EdD, vice president of Institutional Advancement and executive director of the UNT Health Foundation, recognized Walter's lasting contributions, including his years of service on the UNT Health Foundation Board of Directors.
“Walter understood that meaningful change begins by meeting people where they are,” Russell said.
The Rainwater Foundation supported the new mobile clinic, continuing Walter's legacy of helping Fort Worth children and families.
Breaking down barriers to care
For families facing transportation difficulties, financial hardships or a lack of insurance, even a routine medical appointment can be challenging.
The Pediatric Mobile Clinic helps remove those barriers by bringing medical services directly into neighborhoods and school communities.
During the celebration, Priya Bui, DO, chair of the Department of Pediatrics and Women's Health at the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, reflected on the challenges that first inspired the program.
“What are the barriers that we're seeing?” Bui recalled asking when the program was being developed.
She explained that those barriers extend beyond finances and transportation. For some parents, taking time away from work or pulling a child out of school for a medical appointment can be difficult.
Bui also recognized the clinic's health care professionals and support staff, whose commitment has helped sustain the program for more than a decade.
As rain fell outside during the celebration, Bui reflected on how fitting the weather seemed for the occasion.
“This is a team. This is a group of people that serve children, rain or shine,” she said.
Making a difference beyond a single visit
A mobile medical examination room featuring an exam table, a stool, a small desk, and a toy basket, with a window and door providing access to the outside.
The Pediatric Mobile Clinic's work extends beyond providing routine medical services. Partnerships with schools, community organizations and social service providers help connect families with resources that support their overall well-being.
“No organization can improve community health alone,” Robinson said during the unveiling.
She emphasized that the program depends on schools, health care organizations, community leaders and advocates who help identify needs, build relationships and connect families with care.
“Statistics tell us that mobile healthcare works, stories remind us why it matters,” Robinson said.
To illustrate that impact, Robinson shared the story of a young patient whose family faced significant challenges accessing health care. Through the mobile clinic, the child received preventive care and counseling that helped the family make changes to support his health.
The experience demonstrated how access to care can influence a child's well-being long after an appointment ends.
A new chapter for Fort Worth families
Christopher Ray, PhD, provost of UNT Health Fort Worth, opened the celebration by recognizing the university's health care professionals and their commitment to improving patients' lives.
The event concluded with a dedication of the new mobile clinic to the children of Fort Worth, followed by tours of the unit.
“Today, we celebrate much more than a new vehicle,” Robinson said. “We celebrate a legacy of service, a community united by generosity, and a future filled with possibility.”
As the new clinic prepares to begin serving families in November, its mission remains the same: removing barriers, building trust and helping children receive the care they need to grow, learn and thrive.