LAKEPORT ? Andy Anderson of Lakeport donated $10,000 to help Sutter Lakeside Hospital Foundation raise $250,000 to buy a mobile health services unit that will provide medical care for those underserved in Lake County.
“I give to the hospital because of the children and the underprivileged people that can”t afford health care,” Anderson said.
Anderson wanted to help with the few dollars he had, he said while wearing all blue ? blue USS Tennessee hat, blue jeans, jacket, shirt and walker.
Sutter Lakeside Hospital held a launch party for the arrival of its Mobile Health Services Unit Thursday afternoon at the hospital”s healing gardens in Lakeport. Staff will drive the unit to people who have difficulty accessing health care, such as seniors, families with children and migrant workers.
The unit is the size of a large RV with pop-out sides that contain two exam rooms, an area for blood tests, a bathroom and paperwork area ? all with enough space for wheelchair use. Solar panels line the roof and usually generate more power than the unit uses.
Sutter Lakeside will use the unit for health screenings, immunizations, education and referrals. The hospital aims to serve 1,000 patients a year with the units, Tammi Silva, Sutter Lakeside Hospital Foundation director, said.
Silva said she thinks the mobile health services unit will make a difference by enhancing the lives of less fortunate for years.
Silva and other hospital staff honored the dozens of people who helped bring the mobile health services unit to Lake County.
Public Health Officer Karen Tait said access to care is a continuing problem in Lake County and the mobile unit is a good beginning to help change that.
Brad Onorato, representative for Congressman Mike Thompson, said Thompson went down to the floor to inform the speaker of Thursday”s ribbon-cutting ceremony and what the unit will do for the people of Lake County. Onorato presented the hospital with a plaque of Thompson”s address.
Anderson said he”s glad he could help.
“I”m just a small part of it,” Anderson said. “I”d rather be a small part than no part.”
Contact Katy Sweeny at ksweeny@record-bee.com or call her directly at 263-5636, ext. 37.
