The first Norton Prevention & Wellness Mobile Primary Care truck — an exam room on wheels — is making its first of many routine stops in Okolona and Smoketown to meet patients where they are and give them a health care provider they can get to know and trust.

Story by: David Steen Martin on February 1, 2022

For too many in the Louisville area, it’s difficult to get to a primary care provider they know and who knows them, their health, their challenges and their needs.

The first Norton Prevention & Wellness Mobile Primary Care truck — an exam room on wheels — is making its first of many routine stops in Okolona and Smoketown to meet patients where they are and give them a health care provider they can get to know and trust.

For nurse practitioner Amanda R. Dewees, APRN, it’s a perfect fit.

Amanda will travel each week to underserved areas of Louisville, treating patients and teaching them about being healthy so they can live their lives to the fullest.

“My goal is to really be there for the community — to really build the trust and break down those barriers that might be keeping people from following up with a provider,” Amanda said.

Amanda brings the primary care services to Jefferson Green in Okolona on Tuesdays and Thursdays and Bates Memorial Baptist Church in Smoketown on Wednesdays.

Services include well and sick visits for children and adults, screenings, adult vaccines, and management of chronic conditions and minor injuries. Mobile Primary Care services are an addition to the Norton Healthcare Mobile Prevention Center that tours the area offering screening mammograms, wellness exams and testing.

Amanda said she knows how hard it can be to get to a health care provider, especially when transportation is an issue. The mobile primary care truck eliminates that concern.

“I love that we’re really going to go out and embrace the community. Everyone deserves to have the opportunity to be healthy. It shouldn’t be, ‘I don’t have a car so I can’t see a provider,’” she said.

Amanda also will be able to connect patients with community resources and help them evaluate their health insurance coverage.

Born and raised in Louisville, Amanda attended Spalding University for her undergraduate and graduate degrees. Her background is as a critical care bedside nurse.

“When I decided to go back to school, I wanted to focus on keeping people out of the hospital,” said Amanda, who is married with a 4-year-old son.

She joined Norton Healthcare in 2014 and has worked as a sole provider in a small clinic. Amanda was thrilled when the opportunity arose to be the Mobile Primary Care provider and is excited about getting to know patients and their families.

“I want people to know I’m here. I’m approachable. I’m not judgmental,” she said. “Once they’re on the truck, it’s me and them. We’ll take care of it, whatever it is.”

Amanda is excited about the future of mobile primary care.

“It could really take health care to the next level,” she said.

Mobile Primary Care is a Norton Prevention & Wellness initiative in collaboration with the Institute for Health Equity, a Part of Norton Healthcare, and is funded by the Norton Healthcare Foundation.