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>>Don Foster: I could see where this could benefit such communities such as Firebaugh, Dos Palos,
Mendota. They just don't have the access to the medical. Sure there might be a little
clinic or something there, but if you've ever gone to the clinics, they're jammed packed,
and you're in a five, six hour wait sometimes.
>> Dr. Cindi Guerra: It's rewarding and it's something that, I
don't care how old you get as a nurse or how long you've been a nurse, you always should
always give back to your community in whatever way you can. And that’s always been important
to me. Coming from a small town, giving back to my community and giving back to our communities
where we come from is important.
>> Anne Rushing: Well, sometimes access is a problem. So with us being mobile,
we can get into areas that may not have as easily access to health care.
>>Vathany Chea: I can tell that our community is really thankful for the mobile unit. Sometimes they feel rushed in the doctors
office. They mention that a lot. And one of the greatest things we've heard is -- they're
happy to see us -- and sometimes we're better than their actual doctor. So, I love hearing that!
>.Dr. Guerra: This is just a way for them to come here and get free health care and free screening.
And we're all very warm and welcoming, so they're very appreciative.
>>Dr. Kathleen Rindahl: We're checking for elevated
cholesterol. We're checking for high blood pressure. We're checking for diabetes, things like that.
>> Don Foster: If I sit down at a bus stop bench, I was ready to fall asleep. If I sit down
at McDonald's and eat with my kids and my family, I was ready to pass out. I had to get
up and move, because if not, I would fall asleep. My wife said, "Just go over there and try
it. Just go sit down." Next thing I know, I'm stubborn -- I'm not going to go to the doctor,
come on. I'm fine. I'm all right. And it was just a blessing that they were there. I filled
out paperwork and it was just matter of minutes before I was back in the back there and they
were going through my vitals and they did my blood sugar right then and there. 'Cause
they asked me, "Are you felling tired?" And I go, "Yeah, I'm real tired right now." And
they said "Okay," and that’s when they took my blood sugar and found it was over 500.
So we went later that day, went to the hospital And -- yeah, the mobile unit -- if it hadn't had
been for the mobile unit I'd probably would have been passed out real good and end up
in a coma. That’s what I didn't want to do. If those ladies had not had been there at
that time, I would have never got it checked out.
>>Dr. Rindahl: So we kind of help connect the dots, and
if we find something urgent like blood pressure out of control, we can make that connection,
call the doctor: "Hey you need to see this person sooner rather than later." So it really
helps them increase access to care. One, by being out where they are, and two, by making phone
calls and making touch with their doctors.
>>Lori Harshman: I think it's here, being in the community.
I think it's walking up and down the streets. I think it's all the outreach. If I can touch
you, I can teach you.
>>Dr. Rindahl: We have two levels of nursing students on this mobile unit. We have
the baccalaureate nurses, students who are sort of generic RNs, so they're not nurses
yet. They're going through the program. They will become nurses. And we also have nurse
practitioner students who already nurses that are going to be advanced degree nurses. And
they are actually mentoring the younger students and working together. And it's been huge for
our baccalaureate nurses because a lot of them didn't know what a nurse practitioner
was. And a lot of them were like, "Hey, yeah I want to be a nurse practitioner now." Which is
fantastic because we do need more nurse practitioners to increase access to care.
>>Anne Rushing: Well, what I really
enjoy about Fresno State, are the professors. The instructors are very passionate about
what they do. They're passionate about nursing and health care, prevention and education.
And they definitely provide that. They bring that down to their students as well.
>>Dr. Rindahl: I think it's really important, because when they see Fresno State's name, they have a trust with
Fresno State. So they know they are going to get quality care because Fresno State is Fresno State.
>.Dr. Guerra: You're doing awesome. If you're on one pill, right now, at your age. That’s
super, super good. We will be able to help different rural health areas for another year.
And were really excited about that. We don't want to see it come to an end so we will continue
to write grants for more funding.
>>Vathany Chea: Fresno State is an awesome program. I'm really happy that
I got into it. I'm really happy that I am in nursing and really happy that we have a
mobile unit. And I can't wait to help the community again.
>>Don Foster: Thank You. Thank you for - they were
just great people and I'm glad they were there. I'm glad that it was just timing. All perfect
timing. You know, thank you.