The Holiday Farm fire along the McKenzie River destroyed hundreds of homes and businesses, including Oregon’s oldest rural health clinic. With many patients displaced, Orchid health staff set about creating a *mobile clinic. They saw their first patients Monday.
Since losing their home, 88-year old Priscilla Oxley and her husband Hollis have been renting in Eugene. They’re both long time patients of the clinic and grateful that health care is coming to them.
“I think it’s wonderful,” she said. “that they can come in and provide health care for us so we don’t have to go out looking for new doctors to fill in until we can back on the river ourselves.”
Pricilla said she’s is in overall good shape but needs some physical therapy for better mobility. Hollis, who is about to turn 90, has diabetes. She says they need to stay fit as they plan to rebuild their home outside of Vida.
The R.V. turned clinic is decked out with two exam rooms and a mini lab space. Trillium Community Health provided a $50,000 grant. The mobile clinic will be stationed at 555 International Way in Springfield every Monday starting January 18th.
