Wheels of Change: Philips, Philips Foundation and March of Dimes deliver better care to more people

Billie Hamilton-Powell, a certified nurse midwife and Director of Midwifery Services and Mobile Health Services, has been at the forefront of this initiative. Based at the University of Maryland Capital Region, Hamilton-Powell has been running the mobile health unit for seven years, delivering essential healthcare services to underserved and underinsured communities. "We provide women's health services, prenatal care, STI screening, birth control methods, pregnancy tests and breast examinations," Hamilton-Powell explains. "If you just need your regular annual exam, we are going to do that for you here.”

March of Dimes also engages local clinical partners to provide care, education and support in communities with little or no access to maternity care. Doing so creates a model for sustainable maternal care that can be expanded across underserved communities. "If a patient misses an appointment, we can convert it to a telehealth session. This ensures continuity of care, especially crucial in the last weeks of pregnancy," said Hamilton-Powell.

Trust is a cornerstone of effective healthcare delivery, particularly in underserved communities where prevalent, long-term systemic disparities have made some patients skeptical of the systems that have historically mistreated them. Hamilton-Powell emphasizes the importance of having a consistent presence and cultural sensitivity to build this trust. "Seeing people that look like them and speak their language helps make our patients comfortable and trusting." She continues, "We partnered with different organizations that provide extended care, such as food banks and legal services, and made sure we were present in the community every week."

The impact of these mobile health centers is far reaching—the Washington, D.C. unit alone sees more than 1,000 patients annually. The mobile clinics are now trusted pillars of the community, providing continuous care and addressing health disparities head-on. Speaking about her experience, Nichole, a patient of the Mom & Baby Mobile Health Centers ®, said: "It's my first time visiting the mobile clinic and so far I like what I've seen, and they made me feel comfortable as well."

One of the significant barriers to prenatal care has been the high cost of essential diagnostic procedures like ultrasounds, which can run up to $300 per scan. For many women, this cost is prohibitive, leading to delayed or missed prenatal check-ups. "Many of our patients face difficult choices, like whether to get an ultrasound or use that money to feed their families," Hamilton-Powell shares. The introduction of portable ultrasound machines in the mobile health units has been a game-changer in overcoming this barrier.

"Now, I can perform an ultrasound right here on the bus, saving patients money and providing immediate peace of mind," said Hamilton-Powell. This innovation allows for real-time imaging and diagnosis, which is crucial for early detection of potential complications during pregnancy. "With the ultrasound right here, I can instantly see if there are any issues that need further attention and refer patients to specialists if necessary," Hamilton-Powell added.

By bringing advanced medical technology directly to the patients, the mobile clinics represent a significant advancement in making prenatal care more accessible, affordable and effective for women in underserved communities. Reflecting on the long-standing collaboration between March of Dimes, Philips and the Philips Foundation, Law shares “We both have this mutual respect and understanding that we each bring a different part of the puzzle, and together, we can make a difference for maternal outcomes.”