Guthrie Launches Maternity Oasis Mobile (MOM) Unit
The Guthrie Clinic is proud to unveil the Maternity Oasis Mobile (MOM) Unit. This doctor’s office on wheels will bring compassionate and accessible maternity services to underserved rural communities in the Southern Tier and Central New York.
The MOM Unit is the physical embodiment of the Guthrie Maternity Care Oasis Initiative which aims to support healthy pregnancies and reduce maternal health disparities by bringing prenatal, childbirth and postpartum care directly to rural residents.
“We pride ourselves on our ability to meet the challenges that exist within the rural health care space,” said Dr. Edmund Sabanegh, President and CEO, The Guthrie Clinic. “We know there are mothers and families who would otherwise go without the care they need during this critical time in their life and the life of their baby. It is our mission to meet them where they’re at.”
Staffed with midwives, doulas, an LPN, a dietitian and other health care professionals, the MOM Unit will provide vital services including:
- Pregnancy confirmation
- Prenatal care
- Postpartum care
- Ultrasounds
- Fetal monitoring
- Annual exams
- Pelvic exams
- STD screening
- Nutrition counseling
- Breastfeeding support
- Latch assessment
- Mental health counseling
- Depression screening
- Referrals
We seek to reduce premature birth rates in New York State and improve first-trimester prenatal care enrollment.
This initiative will also provide educational workshops and resources to empower rural residents with knowledge about maternity and infant health.
“After 35 years and thousands of deliveries, it is just as rewarding now as it was then to help bring a child into this world,” said Dr. J. Manuel Arreguin, Chair of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Guthrie Clinic. “But not every mother has the same access to proper health care during the process. It is overwhelming to be part of this next stage of maternal care in our communities.”
This program would not be possible without the generosity and compassion of the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation. The MOM Unit is supported by a $3 million grant from Mother Cabrini. We are incredibly grateful for their kindness and confidence in our ability to deliver results toward our shared vision of safe, quality maternal care.
"We are thrilled to support The Guthrie Clinic’s Maternity Care Oasis Initiative, which brings essential prenatal, childbirth, and postpartum care directly to underserved rural communities,” said Nancy Gildersleeve, Senior Program Officer, Mother Cabrini Health Foundation. “This mobile unit is a beacon of hope, ensuring healthier pregnancies and better outcomes for mothers and babies, aligning perfectly with our mission to eliminate barriers to care and improve health outcomes for all New Yorkers.”
The Guthrie Maternity Care Oasis Initiative demonstrates Guthrie’s commitment to improving health care access and outcomes for rural communities -- ensuring a brighter start for mothers and their babies.
“As Chair of the Senate Women’s Issues Committee, the launch of Guthrie’s Maternity Oasis Mobile Van is a transformative step toward reducing maternal health disparities in rural communities across the Southern Tier and Central New York,” said State Senator Lea Webb. “By bringing comprehensive care—like ultrasounds, mental health counseling, and breastfeeding support—directly to those in need, this initiative ensures that high-quality maternal care is accessible to all women. I’m proud to support this effort to eliminate barriers and provide the compassionate, essential care that every mother deserves."
The 39-foot-long MOM Unit, with two exam rooms and additional space, will serve multiple counties in Upstate New York. Its first stop is March 17 at the United Way of Broome County in Binghamton with additional visits planned for churches, libraries, American Legion Posts, fire departments and several other host sites in the coming days, weeks, months and years.