Student-powered program aims to break barriers and expand access to screenings across San Diego County.
SAN DIEGO COUNTY, Calif. — Getting to the doctor isn’t always easy, but a new effort is working to bring care directly to the community.
Two new mobile clinics from UC San Diego are now traveling across San Diego County, offering free health services such as 3D mammograms, blood pressure checks, and screenings for diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Step inside, and you’ll find a full-service clinic on wheels designed to meet patients where they are.
“Our mission is simple,” said Dr. Crystal Cene, Chief Administrative Officer and Associate Chief Medical Officer for Health Equity at UC San Diego Health. “We really want to be able to bring care and services to our local communities, particularly those who often face barriers to accessing care.”
Inside the mobile mammography unit, patients have access to advanced 3D imaging technology aimed at detecting breast cancer early when it’s most treatable.
“We know that breast cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths for women, and screening is the most effective way to detect it,” Cene said.
The clinics are designed with flexibility in mind, helping people who may not be able to make it to traditional appointments due to work, school, or caregiving responsibilities.
The program also addresses deeper challenges in health care access.
“Meeting people where they are is really effective because we know that many people face barriers to getting care,” Cene said, pointing to issues like transportation, internet access, and past negative experiences with the health care system.
The second mobile unit—the general health clinic—offers a range of services, including screenings for chronic conditions like diabetes and heart disease. It also includes accessibility features to better serve all patients.
Powering the program are dozens of volunteers, primarily medical students, who are gaining hands-on experience while serving their communities.
“I think the number one thing that we try and do is bring excellent care to them in any way we can,” said Mo Oni, a medical student volunteer.
For many involved, the goal goes beyond convenience. It’s about prevention and trust.
“A lot of these things that we try to intervene on are ultimately preventable,” Oni said. “What we try to do is capture people when they’re at those preventable moments.”
Since launching in August 2025, the mobile health program has reached more than 750 community members and completed hundreds of screenings at events across the county. Leaders say they plan to expand partnerships with community clinics and local health fairs to reach even more people.
For those interested in accessing services, organizers say the easiest way to get involved is to connect with partner clinics or attend community events where the mobile units are scheduled to appear. Community members can also reach out directly to learn more about upcoming locations at healthequity@ucsd.edu.
For starters, organizers told News 8 that the mobile clinics make regular appearances on the first Wednesday of each month at a community health fair at the Jackie Robinson YMCA, 151 YMCA Way in San Diego, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
As the clinics continue to roll out across San Diego County, the mission remains to bring care directly to the people who need it most.