MILWAUKEE — Froedtert and the Medical College of Wisconsin is bringing a special service to moms in the neighborhoods where they live.
"It's your one-stop shop for OB care," said Vintinita Goodman-Johnson, Registered Nurse with Froedtert and the Medical College of Wisconsin.
When you visit with staff like at the Maternal Mobile Care Clinic, you will have access to services like prenatal and postpartum exams, STI screenings, psychiatry, lactation support, family planning, and much more.
“We can essentially do all of the prenatal care that they would get if they were going to an office clinic, but here on the mobile clinic,” said nurse and midwife, Tracy Lemmer. “I think that all moms want to hear their baby's heartbeat. So that’s one of the things that we can do here, both through a Doppler and we can do a non-stress test, which is when we monitor the baby for about 20 minutes and we’re also checking to make sure that there’s no contraction activity going on. I think that’s something that moms love to have at their prenatal visits.”
TMJ4 spoke with Goodman-Johnson about the importance of the Maternal Mobile Clinic. She shared that the 'why' behind it is all in the numbers.
"Numbers don't lie, and numbers are higher in these black and brown communities, specifically in the city of Milwaukee, where things can get segregated," said Goodman-Johnson. "So, we were really strategic in our placements in the community. We researched different ZIP Codes where moms were least likely to get their OB care, prenatal or postpartum, and we planted the mobile clinic with some community organizations."
Laurie Diske, the Director of Women’s Services for Froedtert and the Medical College of Wisconsin said the maternal mortality rate in the US is the worst among any developed country in the world.
“The state of Wisconsin ranks about 20th in the nation and the city of Milwaukee being the highest populated is where that concentrates,” said Diske. “We’re trying to address the black, brown, and underserved patient populations. They are the most likely 3 to 4 times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related complication.”
Watch: Maternal Mobile Care Clinic meets mothers where they are:
Diske said the goal is to get moms to come and get their pregnancy care wherever the RV is in the neighborhood near them.
"We know that access and transportation is one of the biggest barriers to moms getting care, and if we can have a healthy mom, it increases our chance of getting a healthy baby,” said Diske.
Here is a list of the Maternal Mobile Clinic locations available this spring. The Southside Health Center is a new addition.
Hours and locations:
- Monday: Evolve Church, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
- Tuesday (1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month): Southside Health Center, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
- Tuesdays (2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month): Bay View Community Center, 10 a.m - 4 p.m.
- Wednesdays: Tabernacle Community Baptist Church, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
- Thursdays: Penfield Children's Center, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
If you’re an expecting mother and are interested in visiting the Maternal Care Clinic, schedule an appointment by calling 414-805-4770. You can find more information by clicking this link.
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