Mobile Health Unit

The Palmetto Palace Mobile Health Unit brings convenient, community‑based care to uninsured and underinsured residents in our service area. Our team focuses on preventive services, early detection, and support for managing ongoing health conditions, working in partnership with local organizations and healthcare providers.

Who We Serve

We currently serve individuals ages 15 and older.

At this time, we are not able to provide services for children under age 15 on the Mobile Health Unit. Expanding services for younger children is a future goal, and we will update this page as eligibility changes.

Impact

The Palmetto Palace Mobile Health Unit was created to help detect previously undiagnosed conditions, strengthen care coordination and continuity, improve disease management, and reduce costly emergency department (ED) visits and avoidable inpatient hospitalizations.

Since launching right before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Mobile Health Unit has pivoted to provide emergency support to local communities through testing, vaccines, health education, and food distribution.

The Palmetto Palace Mobile Health Unit is a Mathews Specialty Vehicles Coach Series 4000-40-102 with three rooms and a wheelchair lift. It features one exam room for primary care with telemedicine support in the rear, one dental operatory with teledentistry support in the front, and a center area computer for coordination of care, referrals, and registration. It also includes audio/visual equipment on the external area of the unit as well as onboard cellular data services from Verizon.

Mobile Health Unit Services

Services may vary by clinic based on community needs, staffing, and partner providers. Details for each event will be shared in advance.

Screenings

On‑site health screenings such as blood pressure, blood sugar, weight/BMI, and other risk assessments to help identify health concerns early and connect patients to follow‑up care.

Oral Health Screenings and Education

Basic oral health screenings, dental risk assessments, and education on daily care, nutrition, and when to seek dental treatment, with referrals to dental partners and events such as Free Dental Day when appropriate.

Chronic Disease Management Support

Support for adults and youth ages 15+ living with conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, asthma, and heart disease, including monitoring, education, and coordination with primary care providers.

Preventive Medicine and Oral Care

Preventive services tailored to community needs, such as vaccines offered through partners, counseling on healthy lifestyles, and guidance on maintaining good oral and overall health.

Dispensary (Non‑narcotic Medications)

Limited, on‑site dispensary providing select over‑the‑counter medications and prescribed non‑narcotic medications, along with education on how and when to take them safely and effectively.

Request the Mobile Health Unit

The Palmetto Palace Mobile Health Unit is currently available to support community events, clinics, and outreach days in our service area. While we are not traveling on a fixed schedule at this time, organizations can request the unit to come to their location for targeted services. After you submit a request, our team will review it and follow up to discuss availability, services, and any associated costs or requirements.

Request the Mobile Health Unit

Support the Palmetto Palace’s Mobile Health Unit through a one-time or recurring donation!

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FAQs

Yes, we are currently accepting Medicaid for Mobile Health Unit services.
We are always looking for volunteers with a variety of experience and skill sets. Please check out our volunteer listings and reach out if you are interested in volunteering with us!

Representative Gilda Cobb-Hunter

The Palmetto Palace Mobile Health Unit is in Honor of Representative Gilda Cobb-Hunter. Cobb-Hunter is the former representative for South Carolina's 95th district. Following redistricting and the 2022 general election, Cobb-Hunter now represents South Carolina House District 95.

Gilda Cobb-Hunter is a woman of many firsts. She was the first African American woman in Orangeburg County ever elected to statewide office, when on January 28, 1992 she was elected to the South Carolina House of Representatives, where she currently serves. She became the first freshman ever appointed to and is now a ranking member and 1st Vice Chairman of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee and is a member of the Joint Bond Review Committee. Cobb-Hunter has continued her road of firsts by becoming the first person of color, male or female, to ever lead a legislative caucus, when in 1997 she was elected House Minority Leader. Rep Cobb-Hunter is currently the longest serving Representative in the House and is ranked number 1 out of 124 members. She is widely respected on both sides of the aisle and has been dubbed "the conscience of the House."

Cobb-Hunter's longstanding commitment to public service is reflected in her active participation on numerous boards and commissions. A few of those included: Community Development Advisory Committee for the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond; Center for Women Policy Studies; Palmetto Trails; Planned Parenthood of South Carolina; South Carolina Fair Share; South Carolina Low Income Housing Coalition; South Carolina SAFEKIDS and South Carolina Progressive Network.

In her capacity as Vice-Chair of the African American History Monument Commission Cobb-Hunter led the historic effort to build at the time, the first monument to African Americans on the ground of any state capitol. She represents South Carolina as the National Committeewoman to the Democratic National Committee, where she also served as a member of the DNC's Executive Committee and as Chair of the DNC's Southern Regional Caucus, the first woman of color ever elected to that position. Rep. Cobb-Hunter currently serves as the President of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators. During her legislative career, she has been honored for her legislative leadership and recognized as legislator of the year by numerous organizations.

Cobb-Hunter is the Chief Executive Officer of CASA/Family Systems, a family violence agency serving Orangeburg, Bamberg and Calhoun counties. She has worked on the national, regional and state levels on a variety of progressive issues aimed at making communities a better place for working families to live.

Ms. Cobb-Hunter is a native of Gifford, Florida, holds a B.S. degree in Afro-American History from Florida A&M University, an M.A. degree in American History from Florida State University and is a Licensed Master Social Worker. She has received an honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters from both the Medical University of South Carolina and the College of Charleston and in 2009 received the highly coveted David Wilkins Legislative Leadership Award from the Riley Institute at Furman University.

She is married to Dr. Terry K. Hunter, Executive Director of Fine Arts Cultural Enrichment Teaching Studios (FACETS) and they reside in Orangeburg.