The University of Nevada, Reno’s Orvis School of Nursing celebrated a new chapter in community-based care Aug. 26, 2026, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its Mobile Health in Action unit.

Made possible through a partnership between the University and Washoe County, the mobile health unit will bring health services and education directly to communities throughout Northern Nevada. It will support programs serving rural communities, individuals experiencing homelessness through the StreetReach program, school-aged children and other underserved populations.

"We are incredibly grateful to Washoe County and the Commission for recognizing the value of bringing health care directly into the community," Jane Fox, MPH, director of StreetReach, said. "This investment strengthens our ability to serve some of our region's most vulnerable residents while building sustainable partnerships that improve health outcomes and advance health equity."

University leaders, faculty, community partners, supporters and government officials gathered for the celebration.

Stephanie DeBoor, senior associate dean of Graduate Programs, opened the ceremony. Jeff Thompson, executive vice president and provost, and Charlie Yingling, dean of the Orvis School of Nursing, followed with remarks about the importance of partnerships and the University’s commitment to expanding access to health care across Northern Nevada.

"For 70 years, we've been preparing nurses to go where they are needed most,” Yingling remarked. "This mobile health unit puts that commitment on wheels, expanding access to care while strengthening our partnership with the communities we serve."

Molly Kokenge, associate dean for Strategic Partnerships and Practice, led the ceremonial ribbon cutting.

"This investment enables us to meet people where they are and extend access to care beyond the walls of traditional health care settings," Kokenge said. "By bringing services directly into the community, we can reach more individuals across Washoe County, address urgent health needs, connect people to ongoing care and recovery resources, and make a meaningful impact on the health of our communities."

The celebration continued with an open house, where guests toured the mobile health unit, met members of the health care team and learned more about the programs and community resources at the Orvis School of Nursing.

Meeting people where they are

The Mobile Health in Action unit builds on the Orvis School of Nursing’s growing network of community partnerships and its commitment to bringing health care and education directly into communities.

One of its first major uses will be supporting StreetReach, a nurse-led initiative that provides low-barrier health care to people experiencing homelessness. Since launching earlier this year, StreetReach has provided wound care, blood-borne virus screening, opioid abatement and recovery, health education and connections to medical and social services. 

StreetReach recently expanded after the Washoe County Board of County Commissioners approved nearly $500,000 for the Washoe Opioid Abatement and Recovery Fund (WOARF) on June 24, 2026. The two-year award will broaden access to low-barrier, integrated health care for people experiencing homelessness and those who use or are at risk for opioid use disorder in Washoe County. The funding will expand the scope of care provided, help reach more community members in need and create additional hands-on learning opportunities for nursing students.

The mobile unit will provide a consistent space for patient care, examinations, testing, privacy and education. Its mobility will also allow it to bring services to rural and underserved communities where access to health care can be limited.

While StreetReach will be an important part of the unit’s work, Mobile Health in Action is designed to serve a broader purpose. The unit can support health screenings, community wellness events, school-based programming and other initiatives that bring health care and education directly to the people and communities who need them.

Creating healthier communities

The launch of Mobile Health in Action is a significant step forward in bringing health care to underserved communities across Northern Nevada.

By bringing health care directly to those who need it most, Mobile Health in Action exemplifies The Wolf Pack Way, creating healthier communities while preparing future health care professionals to make a meaningful impact in Nevada.

As the unit begins serving communities throughout Northern Nevada, it represents more than a new resource for the Orvis School of Nursing. It is a new way to expand access to care, strengthen the health care workforce pipeline and improve the health of communities across the region.