Local Nurse Practitioner Delivers Hope On Wheels

Karen Brown didn't have a typical birthday wish this year. In March, she spent the day delivering food and water to hospital ER staffs.

"I enjoy helping others and giving back," Brown said.

She does it in more ways than one.

Brown works as a nurse practitioner at Bellevue Health and Rehab Center.

In her spare time, she runs HOPE, short for Helping Others Prevent Emergencies, a mobile health clinic that strives to help people who may not have the money for basic medical care.

"Just working in the medical field and seeing people go through things and not being able to afford the things that other patients can afford, I just think if you can make a difference, why not help somebody," Brown said.

Karen started the clinic last October at the Northeast Church of Christ.

The pandemic put that on hold, so Karen had to shift gears. That's where the van comes in. Karen purchased it out of her own pocket.

She uses the vehicle to make house calls. She also offers free COVID-19 testing a couple times a month in the parking lot of the church.

"It's just part of my heart, reaching out as far as I can."

Karen said in the six COVID-19 drives they've hosted, there's never been fewer than 140 people.

The HOPE mobile clinic will be back at the Northeast Church of Christ on Saturday September 12, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. offering free COVID-19 testing. You do not have to be showing symptoms to get tested.