PITTSFIELD, Mass. – The big orange bus, fondly known as “BOB,” is Community Health Programs’ mobile health unit, which travels around Berkshire County and became even more crucial during the pandemic.
This year they’re excited to be able to add to their fleet and advance their mission of helping communities across Berkshire County.
What You Need To Know
- Community Health Programs has a Mobile Health Unit which operates across Berkshire County
- The Mobile Health Unit is encouraging flu vaccines as well as COVID-19 vaccines and the bivalent booster for those eligible
- CHP is looking to add to their fleet this year to supplement their mobile services
- Appointments for CHP’s Mobile Health Unit are strongly encouraged
“It’s been in the works for a while now, for us to be able to expand and get more mobile health units,” said Hiram Paniagua, a medical assistant who drives the bus.
Paniagua said Community Health Programs will be updating a second bus like “BOB” to offer more care. They are also adding a vehicle to help deliver food to families in need.
“We’re also expanding, we’re getting a dental unit,” Paniagua said. “And then we’re getting a refrigerated unit so that we’ll be able to store food there and also be able to deliver food.”
On Monday, the mobile health unit parked at a Pittsfield shopping plaza and made another stop at The Roasted Garlic restaurant to offer COVID-19 and Flu vaccinations. It can also host primary care and urgent care appointments.
Nurse practitioner Kathleen Floyd said convenience is the priority for their team.
“You know, it’s amazing that a lot of people don’t have access, still, to primary care, don’t have the time to make an appointment,” Floyd said. “So, we try to make it convenient and accessible. “
Betty Kasuba heard about the Big Orange Bus from her daughter and chose to get her updated COVID bivalent booster instead of heading into a doctor’s office.
“I mean, this is so easy,” Kasuba said. “I was surprised. It was very nice. I do have an appointment tomorrow, I’ll have to cancel it.”
Floyd said adding dental care and food delivery are a result of the mobile health unit recognizing and fulfilling the needs of the Berkshires.
“We’re trying to find all the services that people aren’t able to get now and be able to provide those,” Floyd said.
The team says the additional services will arrive in the coming months. The Mobile Health Unit accepts walk-ins but strongly encourages appointments. Scheduling can be found here.
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