Veterans Mobile Health Unit.

Veterans Mobile Health Unit.

WILDWOOD – It’s a long way from Wildwood to the battlefields of Europe, Asia and the Middle East. For local veterans who served their nation, the way to a veterans’ hospital in Philadelphia and Wilmington can often seem equally as distant.  To help remedy that situation and bring medical services to vets throughout Cape May County, a mobile outreach clinic pulled up to the curb at Roberts and Atlantic avenues on Dec. 17.

“This is our first time here in Wildwood,” said nurse practitioner Michele Kuhn. “The next time we’ll be here is Jan. 7. We go to New Jersey on Tuesdays only and Delaware the rest of the week.”  Kuhn added the mobile unit’s first visit to Wildwood was a busy one.

Physicals, management of acute and chronic illnesses, women’s health issues, patient education, immunizations and laboratory services are all offered in the unit. A social worker is onboard to offer assistance with eligibility and enrollment issues as well as mental health referrals and identification of resources that are available to vets.

The mobile unit serves all veterans, including those who are homeless.

Kuhn said during the unit’s inaugural visit to Wildwood several vets stopped by for physicals.  “They got their blood work done as well as their full immunizations.” The majority of patients seen, however, visited the unit in order to be enrolled into the Veterans Administration system as well looking to have eligibility questions addressed.

Funding for the mobile unit is through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Rural Health.

“In Delaware we go to a lot of rural areas where it’s hard for them to get to the Wilmington VA or the surrounding VA clinics,” explained. Kuhn.  “In New Jersey we were asked to come because of the lack of (veterans) ability to get to Wilmington or there weren’t enough providers in the surrounding clinics to accommodate them.”

Wildwood Mayor Ernie Troiano supports the van’s monthly arrival in the city.  “Whenever you can help the veteran, it’s a no brainer,” he said.  “They sacrifice so much and some gave the ultimate sacrifice for the privileges we enjoy today.  Being able to get this van here in Wildwood is a convenience they need.  It’s just one small way of us paying them back.”

In addition to bringing health services closer for local vets, with the advent of Obamacare and changes in the nation’s healthcare delivery system, many vets are now looking at their veterans benefits as they are eliminated from their spouse’s coverage, Kuhn said. “A lot of spouses have lost their insurance and they need a back up, so they have the VA to fall back on.”

A steady stream of veterans made their way onto the bus, making the mobile unit’s first day in Wildwood a success, said Kuhn. “I have two vets who will be coming back to see me. Some of them got into the system today and made an appointment for a physical on the unit.”

Veterans wishing to make an appointment to visit the mobile unit during its January return trip to Wildwood may contact Alisha Delgado at 302-668-4371.

Ken Gorski, homeless veterans outreach social worker, left, and Michele Kuhn, Nurse Practitioner, right

Ken Gorski, homeless veterans outreach social worker, left, and Michele Kuhn, Nurse Practitioner, right