News Releases

Media Advisory: School of Nursing Sending Wellmobiles to Help Hurricane Victims

September 6, 2005

WHAT: Two Wellmobiles from the University of Maryland School of Nursing's Governor's Wellmobile Program will report to the American Red Cross Headquarters in Montgomery, Alabama to help victims of Hurricane Katrina for two weeks.

DEPARTING: Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2005 at 5:00 a.m. from the University of Maryland School of Nursing , 655 W. Lombard Street, Baltimore, MD 21201 (Rear of building – access off Pratt Street or Penn Street).

STAFF: Four nurse practitioners, four registered nurses, two drivers and two support people from the School of Nursing will be traveling with the Wellmobiles.

ABOUT THE WELLMOBILES: The Governor's Wellmobile Program began in 1994 as a private/public partnership. The School of Nursing currently operates four 33' long Wellmobiles, each equipped with two examination rooms; a reception and education room; a laboratory; and computer, fax and cell phone capability. Two Wellmobiles operate on Maryland's Eastern Shore, one operates in Central Maryland and one in Western Maryland. Services include health screenings, health education, physical examinations, smoking prevention programs, immunizations, well-child care, vision and hearing screenings, detection and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases, laboratory tests and diagnosis, and treatment/referral for illnesses.

SUPPORTING THE EFFORT:This effort is supported in part by CareFirst, the University of Maryland Medical System, Atlantic General Hospital, and Connect Maryland, Inc. However, due to the enormous expense of sending the Wellmobiles to Alabama (estimated at $200,000 total for the two week period), David and Marla Oros are conducting a fundraising effort through their non-profit organization, Connect Maryland, Inc. Donations can be forwarded to: Connect Maryland, Inc., Attn: Mark Dewire, 100 Light Street, Baltimore, MD 21202. Make checks payable to: Connect Maryland, Inc. Memo: Wellmobile.