Ronald McDonald Care Mobile reaches underserved Tampa-area students

Aetna and the Aetna Foundation have awarded $47,500 to the University of South Florida (USF) to support the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile, which is targeting obesity among underserved students in the Tampa area.

The USF Pediatrics Mobile Health Program has provided care to more than 5,000 children and teens since 2006, visiting 59 schools in Hillsborough County and providing the equivalent of more than $1 million in free medical services. A nurse practitioner, pediatric residents and medical and nursing students staff the 40-foot-long Ronald McDonald Care Mobile, which is licensed to USF Pediatrics by Ronald McDonald House Charities.®

“This generous donation from the Aetna Foundation allows us to provide comprehensive medical care, including weight management, to children and youth who otherwise would not have access to these services. This affiliation with Aetna ensures these children a better quality of life,” said Dr. Lynn Ringenberg, medical director of the Care Mobile.

“Obesity is one of the biggest health threats we face,” said Mark LaBorde, president of Aetna’s Tampa market. “But it’s a threat that can be battled with education, and that begins in our schools. Aetna is proud to work with USF and its other allies to bring these services to students in the Tampa area.”

The Care Mobile is equipped to deliver health services to at-risk children in the communities where they live. USF Pediatrics provides access to effective and high-quality medical care, dental care and health education to children, and also cares for children with special needs, and child victims of domestic violence. Approximately half of the children seen are adolescents between the ages of 13 and 17.