Improving access to care on Smith Island

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TidalHealth recently used a $26,000 grant from the Somerset County Health Department to address health disparities and improve healthcare access on Smith Island. The grant allowed TidalHealth to complete critical upgrades to the clinic space, including a wheelchair ramp, and purchase a supply of blood pressure cuffs, patient educational materials, and new medical equipment.

TidalHealth partnered with Ewell United Church in 2018 to begin offering acute care visits to island residents in the church office space. The program initially involved a nurse practitioner and pharmacist traveling to the island every other week from April through November and offered telehealth visits when team members were unable to travel to the island.

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The program has expanded to include an annual health fair with a variety of screenings and healthcare services and additional clinical professionals routinely visiting the island to provide physical therapy, chronic disease education and behavioral health.

The team outgrew the space which included a single exam room. The grant funding allowed TidalHealth to retrofit the space to include two exam rooms, a room to check vitals and draw blood and a waiting area. Renovations were completed on July 12, 2024. Patients seen at the clinic on July 31 said they were pleased with the improvements and grateful for the continued expansion of services provided.

Pictured caring for patients are Tammy Walbert, DNP, CRNP, CP-C, TidalHealth Community Wellness Nurse Practitioner; Janet Tyler, TidalHealth Community Wellness Medical Assistant and resident of Smith Island; and Bill Cooper, PD, TidalHealth Director of Ambulatory Pharmacy Services.