About Mobile C.A.R.E.

Mobile C.A.R.E. is proud of its track record in providing asthma care to children in Chicago.

On this page we share some of the high points of our organizational history and introduce the Mobile C.A.R.E. staff who make it all possible.

History of the Foundation

Mobile C.A.R.E. Foundation began with the vision and volunteer efforts of four Chicago area physicians: Philip Sheridan, Sr., MD; Philip Sheridan, Jr., MD, MBA; Paul Detjen, MD; and Eric H. Gluck, MD.

In May 1997, they created a business plan for an organization that would deliver free, standard medical care and health education to thousands of children living with asthma in underserved Chicago communities. Organizational goals were to reduce school absenteeism, decrease health care resource utilization and improve the quality of life for children with asthma.

Choosing Mobile Service Delivery

Instead of setting up a standard clinic in a Chicago office, the founders decided to use mobile service delivery to improve access for low-income families, who often have limited time and reduced access to transportation. Chicago schools were selected as service delivery sites because they already serve as the hub for community activities, and working with schools can make it easier to identify and follow up on children with asthma.

Learning from Other Community-Based Programs

In January 1998, Mobile C.A.R.E. was incorporated as a non-profit organization. At around the same time, Mobile C.A.R.E. organizers met Victoria Persky, MD, of the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). Dr. Persky had developed an asthma education program to serve communities on Chicago's west side, where many children with asthma had not been using preventive medicine to combat asthma symptoms.

The west side program was based on peer educators. First, mothers of children with asthma were recruited and educated about asthma management. After completing the training, these mothers, in turn, educated other mothers in their community.

Another source of inspiration for Mobile C.A.R.E. was a mobile asthma clinic in California, which the newly-formed Mobile C.A.R.E. Board of Directors visited in 1998. The program's founder, Craig Jones, MD, a pediatric allergist at the University of Southern California, started using mobile clinics in Los Angeles in 1996 to combat asthma in an environment similar to Chicago, in which medically underserved, urban communities were experiencing high rates of asthma. Dr. Jones' pediatric asthma clinic was the first of its kind in the country.

Starting Mobile C.A.R.E. Services

In early 1999, Mobile C.A.R.E. received seed money to put the community-based model of asthma care into operation. In six months, Mobile C.A.R.E. purchased and outfitted a mobile clinic, hired a medical team and signed a contract for service at five Chicago public schools.

On November 1, 1999, Mobile C.A.R.E. launched the Chicagoland Breathmobile at Riis Elementary School on Chicago's west side. Operating on a part-time basis, the Breathmobile enrolled 35 patients and conducted 42 medical visits at Riis and Pablo Casals Elementary School in only four weeks. This was the start of an explosive year for patient enrollment and organizational growth.

Throughout the next three years, Mobile C.A.R.E. expanded the Chicago Public School contract to authorize partnerships with 100 schools. The clinics began service throughout the Chicago Archdiocesan schools as well. A second mobile clinic, the Asthma Van, was launched into service in November 2001. In 2004, the Asthma Vans began to make stops at Head Start sites in addition to schools to emphasize the importance of early identification and intervention.

In 2005, Mobile C.A.R.E. donated the Breathmobile to the Louisiana Primary Care Association to help Hurricane Katrina and Rita victims needing health care and replaced that clinic with the Asthma Van II. In 2007, with the help of Senator Jackie Collins and the State of Illinois, Mobile C.A.R.E. Foundation purchased and began using our third clinic, the Asthma Van III.

Mobile C.A.R.E. Today

Since the launch of the comprehensive asthma management program in November 1999, Mobile C.A.R.E. has continued to work toward its goal of improving asthma management for Chicago children.

The next table provides an overview of Mobile C.A.R.E.'s progress in delivering services:

Mobile C.A.R.E. Foundation Facts November 1999-December 2006
Total Asthma Screenings:	Approximately 45,000 low-income, Chicago children have been screened for asthma.
Total Enrollees:	Almost 4,000 children have enrolled in the program to date.
Total Patient Visits:	Over 19,000 patient visits have occurred at the two Mobile C.A.R.E. vans.
24-Hour Phone Utilization:	Hundreds of families have utilized the 24-hour direct physician phone service.
Demographics:	Of the children served by Mobile C.A.R.E., approximate demographics are as follows: 60 percent receive Medicaid 11 percent are uninsured 38 percent are African-American 59 percent are Latino 3 percent are White or other
School Participation:	About 60 public and parochial schools currently receive Mobile C.A.R.E. services.
Annual Budget:	About $1.4 million is the current annual budget for Mobile C.A.R.E. operating expenses.
Staff Size:	16 employees currently staff the mobile vans or provide program support.

Meet the Mobile C.A.R.E. Staff

It might sound like a cliché, but it's true--our staff is dedicated, and they love what they do! It's hard not to get excited about a job where you have the resources to help children transform their health.

Currently, Mobile C.A.R.E.'s clinical staff comprises:

Pediatricians: Three full-time pediatricians have extensive training and experience in asthma care and community medicine.

Nurses: Three full-time equivalent bilingual (Spanish/English) nurses also have extensive training and experience in asthma care and community medicine.

Clinical Assistants/Drivers: Three full-time drivers are certified with CDL C licenses and are also trained to serve as clinical assistants while the clinic is parked.

Support: One full-time bilingual Patient Scheduler works with patients and their families, and a part-time Site Coordinator maintains relationships with our school partners.

Mobile C.A.R.E.'s administrative responsibilities are currently managed by the following staff:

Executive Director: Responsible for the day-to-day operations of the organization and for raising funds for Mobile C.A.R.E.

Assistant Director: Helps the Executive Director with the day-to-day operations of the organization and with raising funds for Mobile C.A.R.E.

Office Manager: Responsible for business aspects of Mobile C.A.R.E. operations.

Additional Mobile C.A.R.E. staff include:

Community Health Educator: One part-time educator works in various communities served by Mobile C.A.R.E. to schedule patient appointments and to reiterate asthma information for Mobile C.A.R.E. patients and families.

Board Members :

Dr. Philip Sheridan, Sr, Chairman
Laurie Baker
Cheryl Byers
Dr. Paul Detjen
Dr. David Donnersberger, Jr.
Deanna Elias Close
William Forsyth
Richard Ginsberg
Dr. Eric Gluck
Camille Lilly
Dr. Victoria Persky
Dr. Philip Sheridan, Jr.
Dr. Barbara Velsor-Friedrich
Jonathan Weatherly