Accessible and affordable healthcare in rural areas is a major concern across the nation. In Pennsylvania, where the Rural Center for PA estimates 26% of people live in rural communities, this is of particular concern. Finding ways to address it requires ingenuity and adaptation with a focus on meeting rural Pennsylvanians where they live instead of making them travel to a healthcare facility that is often a significant distance from home. It also takes partnership and funding. That’s where USDA Rural Development comes in. 

To make these units a reality, Dr. McShane and Penn State University reached out to Congressman and House Committee of Agriculture Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson and the USDA Rural Development for funding. This partnership resulted in a USDA Rural Development Community Facilities Grant totaling $667,500 to put this innovation in motion. 

Penn State University College of Medicine Associate Professor Dr. Michael McShane stated, “When we launched the LION Mobile Clinic initiative, we had two goals. First, we wanted to give back to the people of Pennsylvania who have given so much to Penn State University over the past nearly two centuries. Second, we wanted to go beyond the classroom walls, put our amazing students in the driver's seat, and give them the keys to navigate real-world challenges firsthand. Thanks to the support of Congressman Glenn Thompson and USDA Rural Development, we have been able to achieve this and so much more with the LION Mobile Clinic. LION Mobile Clinic is Penn State University’s land grant mission in action, a Mission in Motion.” 

When Dr. McShane says, “Mission in Motion,” he is referring to the mobile units’ focus on understanding that rural Pennsylvanians often work in places and at times that make healthcare access difficult. The concept envisioned two mobile medical units, with one equipped for off-road travel. The other has two exam rooms to focus on treating patients at events, such as the annual Penn State Ag Progress Days.  

At Ag Progress Days, Dr. McShane explained that the important event draws many rural residents who might otherwise postpone health care, making it an ideal setting for broad outreach. He shared one example of a father who used the opportunity to have his young son’s labs drawn testing that led to a diabetes diagnosis based on the child’s A1C levels. Without the mobile clinic, this screening likely would not have happened. Dr. McShane noted that the LION Mobile Clinic has already held more than 300 events in 15 Pennsylvania counties, provided over 5,000 hours of education and outreach, and completed thousands of free health screenings. The mobile units are staffed by Penn State medical students, giving them hands-on experience and deeper insight into the needs of rural patients.

USDA Rural Development Loan Specialist Courtney Bailey who administered the funding, states, “I truly believe this project is an incredible asset for the local community and an immense training opportunity for the medical residents at PSU who are able to deliver essential healthcare services directly where they are most needed in these rural communities. It’s inspiring to see Rural Development funding making a real difference in rural areas.”

USDA Rural Development’s Pennsylvania Community Facilities Program Director Robin Buonamici emphasized the value of the program. “This project is a great representation of how Rural Development can partner with essential educational institutes to help provide vital services to rural communities in Pennsylvania.”

The Community Facilities programs offer direct loans, loan guarantees and grants to develop or improve essential public services and facilities in communities across rural America. These investments strengthen critical community infrastructure, enhance quality of life, and help rural towns attract and retain businesses and services.