Statement from Peter Lowet, Executive Director, on April 9th, 2020:
To the MobileMed Community,
The Board and I continue to be so thankful for the commitment you’ve shown to MobileMed and the patients we serve. Every dollar donated, every minute volunteered, every kind word shared, is keeping our entire staff going and keeping our patients as healthy as possible during this challenging time.The MobileMed community has never been stronger!
I’m writing today with a brief operational update, a special look at recent news coverage and some ways to help!
We are pleased to have instituted telehealth last week, particularly to manage chronic disease follow-ups and for behavioral health visits.
One of our first patients shared:
care through telehealth to keep us safe.”
We know that with the COVID-19 pandemic, things will be different and often difficult for months to come. A majority of our patients are in high-risk categories—age 65+, homeless and/or living with chronic diseases. Your support of MobileMed enables low-income Montgomery County adults to receive the high-quality healthcare they need. Thank you for all that you continue to do. I hope to get the opportunity to thank you in person soon.
With our deepest gratitude,
Peter F. Lowet
Executive Director, MobileMed
Statement from Peter Lowet, Executive Director, on April 2nd, 2020:
I hope you are staying safe and healthy during these unchartered times.
MobileMed’s incredible team of providers, nurses, medical assistants, and support staff remain as committed as ever. The work of providing access to high-quality, culturally and linguistically appropriate healthcare for low-income adults in Montgomery County continues.
Last week alone, even with staffing adjustments and facility closures at our van sites, we were able to provide over 150 in-person visits to low-income adults who would otherwise face significant barriers to care, and provided telephonic advice and/or case management to many more community members. Most of our patients live with one or more chronic diseases that must be actively managed to maintain good control, even during these tough times.
Given the special challenges that come with COVID-19, we are adapting our policies and protocols to keep patients, staff, and volunteers safe. Among the precautions inside the clinic: the entire clinical and support team are using PPE (personal protective equipment); patients have their temperatures taken before stepping into the waiting room; and any staff with exposure or symptoms is on self-quarantine.
We are adapting quickly outside the clinic walls too. We’ve expedited our telehealth launch, and are going live TOMORROW, both for appropriate medical appointments as well as for behavioral health therapy visits. We have beefed up our telephone triage, including calling all scheduled patients to check if they exhibit any COVID-19 symptoms. We are also planning for proactive outreach to our patients, particularly those at high risk, to check in regarding COVID-19 and to minimize walk-ins.
I am particularly inspired by our local community – neighbors, partner agencies, local government – coming together in response to COVID-19.
Our management team is committed to providing regular communications to the MobileMed community. To learn more about these efforts, please visit us at mobilemedicalcare.org/COVID19/ or email us at giving@mobilemedicalcare.org. Please look for more frequent updates in the coming weeks as we adapt our services to best serve the community during the COVID-19 crisis.
Thank you for being a champion for MobileMed’s services. You are a vital part of the MobileMed community as we come together to provide needed healthcare for low-income residents. We ask that you mobilize virtually in this effort by supporting us in any way you can. As we all know, this virus doesn’t discriminate, so smart community health strategies help us all.
We have established the MobileMed COVID-19 Response Fund to help sustain us during the coming months in carrying out our mission. We are thankful that some restaurants are organizing events – channel your carryout to our charitable partners! And of course, if you have other ideas, please reach out to Michele Levy, our Director of Development and Outreach.
Thank you and be well,
As of March 10th, there are eight confirmed cases of coronavirus in Maryland.
- Avoid interaction with people who are sick/ill.
- If you are sick, please stay at home.
- Do not travel is you are sick/ill.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water.
- Use an alcohol based sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve when coughing or sneezing.
