Around two years ago, Yale Medicine (YM) and Yale New Haven Health System (YNHHS) launched the first mobile retail pharmacy and clinic in the nation to bring health care to people where they live. The project, known as InMOTION, aims to make better health care accessible to anyone disconnected from the health care system.
The project is led by Sandra Springer, MD, professor of medicine (infectious diseases). Today, she shares an update about this project and how its impacted its patients.
Since its launch, InMOTION has stayed true to its goal of delivering “Health Care for Everyone” by fostering trust, accessibility, and dignity in every patient interaction. The Mobile Pharmacy Clinic has become a trusted resource across communities, offering whole-person, stigma-free care that integrates medical, behavioral health, pharmacy, and social support services.
A key achievement of InMOTION has been demonstrating the power of a fully mobile, hub-and-spoke health care model that provides clinical care and same-day access to medications through our mobile retail pharmacy. This approach eliminates critical barriers such as transportation and ensures patients receive immediate care and treatment, including injectable and oral medications, without visiting brick-and-mortar facilities.
One success story involves a patient with opioid use disorder who came to the MPC. A community health worker (CHW) met the individual and helped them access medication-assisted treatment. The patient began treatment, connected with a local provider, and continues to progress in recovery. This story reflects the transformative impact of InMOTION’s model.
The growing number of patients referring others to InMOTION highlights the program’s trust and confidence. As we expand, our work advances equitable health care access and contributes valuable data for future health policy. InMOTION proves that meeting people where they are can improve health care outcomes.
InMOTION’s holistic model brings integrated medical, behavioral health, and social services directly to people, eliminating barriers that prevent engagement in traditional health care settings. Addressing multiple needs in one visit ensures timely, coordinated support. This model creates trust, allowing patients to discuss sensitive topics such as substance use or mental health. By breaking down logistical, emotional, and financial barriers, InMOTION encourages people to engage and improve their health and well-being. Our partnership with the Dispensary of Hope, for example, has been instrumental in sustaining access to medications for patients with limited financial resources. Over 30% of medications dispensed are supplied through this formulary, extending our services to populations facing the greatest barriers to continuity of care.
InMOTION’s pilot project for women reentering the community after incarceration provides critical care during a vulnerable period. By bringing health care to transitional housing sites, the MPC helps women address their needs immediately upon release, preventing lapses in medication and care. This initiative fosters trust and reduces stigma, making it easier for women to engage in care. Early outcomes show improved management of chronic conditions and better access to behavioral health care.
The success of InMOTION depends on its dedicated staff. The clinician, pharmacist, medical assistant, CHWs, and drivers foster trust and connection within communities. Simply showing up and continuing to show up has been one of the most powerful ways to build credibility and engagement. Patients know that when the Mobile Pharmacy Clinic arrives, they can rely on seeing familiar faces who listen, follow through, and treat them with respect and dignity.
The Mobile Pharmacy Clinic creates a stigma-free environment where patients feel comfortable sharing their stories and seeking care. By building relationships grounded in trust, empathy, and reliability, the InMOTION team has expanded access to care and redefined community-centered health care.
Mobile health care will continue to expand to meet people’s needs wherever they live. We plan to expand services to additional locations across Connecticut while supporting our current patients. We seek new partners to grow in-person and telehealth services. We hope more states and organizations recognize the value of these services in communities with the greatest need. Disseminating data in an understandable manner to legislators, payors, and health care systems is key to the longevity of the program and to secure state and federal funding, and we are always looking for individual donation and support from the local community.
Leading the InMOTION project has emphasized why I went into medicine: to help people who have been stigmatized access health care. Developing this mobile health care system, enacting legislation, building partnerships, and working directly with people who need services has been a tremendous experience. It’s difficult and messy, but it shows it can be done. We need more programs, payors, and health care systems to support this model, making it sustainable. This system could transform care for all conditions and benefit everyone.