Medical Teams International is excited to announce the launch of two brand-new 39-foot mobile health clinics made possible through the incredible generosity and partnership of numerous corporate and foundation donors. These vans are more than just vehicles; they’re lifelines for underserved communities, offering free dental and medical care to individuals throughout the Pacific Northwest who otherwise might not have access.

In 2023, it was reported that 68.5 million Americans were without dental insurance. Without dental insurance, oral health becomes a luxury many cannot afford. Even with insurance, some patients live in dental deserts, meaning they must drive for hours to a provider who accepts their insurance. These two new clinic vans will increase our fleet to 11 mobile clinic vehicles serving Oregon and Washington, providing access to dental care and health screenings to communities most in need.

 

Let’s take a closer look at our top contributing corporate partners whose generous support helped make this project a reality.

 

26 Years of Partnership, Countless Lives Impacted

Providence Health & Services in Oregon has been a steadfast partner of Medical Teams International since 1996, and their ongoing support continues to make a difference. In addition to providing essential resources over the years as our largest Medical Surplus Recovery Partner, (supplying 174,585 lbs. of donated medical supplies in 2024 to be exact) Providence has contributed a generous $300,000 toward the creation of these 2 new mobile dental vans. Their commitment to improving the health of vulnerable communities is inspiring, and we’re proud to have them on board as we expand our reach.

 

From COVID-19 to Care & Connect

Kaiser Permanente Northwest has been a key partner in our Care & Connect program across Oregon and Southwest Washington. In 2021, this partnership began with mobile COVID-19 vaccination clinics providing access to communities with barriers to care. Following the pandemic, Kaiser Permanente stepped up in a big way, helping fund the build-out of our fully integrated Care & Connect clinic model, a health screening and referral program for accessible, ongoing care. Since its inception, the partnership has provided vaccinations, free dental care, medical screenings, counseling, education, Medicaid enrollment, and referrals for additional care to over 12,415 patients in underserved communities, and the work continues to grow. In addition to funding, countless Kaiser Permanente health professionals donate their time and experience to serving patients at our clinics.

As a strategic partner, Kaiser Permanente’s support remains instrumental in enabling us to bring mobile health care to more communities.

 

The Best Tools for the Job

For over 20 years, A-dec has been a key partner, outfitting our U.S. mobile fleet with top-of-the-line dental equipment. Their generosity continues with a significant contribution to the new vans, with A-dec donating all 4 dental operatories for the 2 new vehicles. But their support doesn’t stop here – A-dec is also providing essential dental equipment for our program in Tanzania, where we are bringing dental care to refugees and Tanzanians alike with no previous access to oral health services.

We are deeply grateful for A-dec’s commitment to improving the oral health of people in need, both in the U.S. and around the world.

 

Soaring to New Heights in Washington

The Employees Community Fund of Boeing Puget Sound has been a longstanding supporter of our mission, and their recent award of a $143,000 grant for our Washington-based van is a testament to their dedication. With this generous contribution, Boeing has become the largest funder of our new Washington mobile clinic. This brings their total direct contributions to our accessible dental programs to over $500,000 since 2002. Their ongoing support has helped us expand our services and reach more people, providing much-needed dental care to communities throughout the region.

 

You Can be Part of the Future of Care & Connect

In addition to these critically important funders, our clinics are made possible by our incredible team of volunteers. If you’re a dedicated and compassionate person who wants to share your skills with your underserved neighbors, you’re in the right place! We’re in particular need of dentists, hygienists, and chair-side assistants. You can make your own schedule and choose how often you volunteer. To learn more, visit our Volunteer with Us page!

As Medical Teams expands the Care & Connect program beyond Oregon, SW Washington, and King County, there is an ongoing need to retire and replace older vans in our fleet that struggle to make it throughout the PNW landscapes. To be a part of the next wave of vans joining our Care & Connect program, consider passing along any corporations or foundations that may be interested in participating in our new van campaign to [email protected].

 

---

Caitie Clifford
Corporate Donor Engagement Coordinator, Medical Teams International

Caitie has been the Corporate Donor Engagement Coordinator at Medical Teams International since 2023. Caitie first met Medical Teams on a school trip in 6th grade and knew she wanted to work in global health! Today she works to educate and engage corporate employees in breaking barriers to health. Prior to Medical Teams, Caitie worked as a Development Manager for the American Cancer Society and a Volunteer Coordinator at the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank during the Covid-19 pandemic.