UTC Professor Wins Mobile Health Innovation Award

Meagan Oslund receives national recognition for leading a mobile clinic program serving rural Tennessee.

Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Healthcare

A generic white mobile medical clinic van parked on a rural gravel lot against a backdrop of green hills.
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga assistant professor Meagan Oslund received the 2026 Mobile Health Clinics Innovation Award for her rural healthcare work. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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University of Tennessee at Chattanooga assistant professor Meagan Oslund was awarded the 2026 Mobile Health Clinics Innovation Award. The honor recognizes her leadership of MobileMOC, a program providing healthcare to older adults in rural Southeast Tennessee.

Why it matters

The program helps close gaps in healthcare access for rural residents facing provider shortages and transportation limitations. By integrating student clinical hours into the model, the initiative also provides training for future healthcare professionals.

Since launching in April 2025, MobileMOC has conducted 350 clinic visits across 10 rural counties. The program has utilized 278 students across 11 professional disciplines to complete 3,322 clinical or community hours.

The players

Meagan Oslund

She is an assistant professor of practice at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga College of Nursing.

Mobile Healthcare Association

This national organization supports the growth and success of mobile clinics across the country.

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

This public university serves as the home institution for the MobileMOC program and its academic clinical rotations.

The details

The program leverages the Age-Friendly Health Systems 4Ms Framework to coordinate care and education for older adults and their caregivers. Under Oslund, the mobile clinic also manages a heart health initiative that features blood pressure kiosks at five local senior centers.

Timeline

  1. MobileMOC officially launched in April 2025.

  2. Meagan Oslund began her tenure at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in 2025.

  3. The Mobile Health Clinics Innovation Award was presented in October 2026.

Market Landscape

Mobile clinics are increasingly adopting standardized clinical protocols like the Age-Friendly Health Systems 4Ms Framework to improve care quality in remote areas. This integration positions academic-led initiatives like MobileMOC as vital players in addressing rural health disparities.

Residents in rural Southeast Tennessee can continue to access mobile health services and heart health screenings at local senior centers. The expansion plan to add permanent staff may further increase the availability of specialized care for local older adults.

The takeaway

Mobile clinics serve as a bridge for underserved populations by bringing professional care directly into the community. Implementing evidence-based frameworks can significantly enhance the standard of care in mobile health models.

Further reading

Learn more about local health initiatives in Chattanooga Healthcare.

Source note: This article includes information reported by Chattanoogan.

Live Poll

Do you believe mobile clinics effectively improve healthcare access in your rural community?