Published - November 4, 2009

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (FOX 9) - A one of its kind collaboration is happening in Scott County. The Mdewakanton Tribe has loaned its mobile health clinic to the county to help uninsured and underinsured Scott County residents.

For two years now, the mobile clinic has helped other tribes. This is a new relationship with county government.

For the next couple of months, the estimated 8,500 uninsured Scott County residents can get free health care during scheduled clinics.

The tribe donated the truck and driver, and county medical volunteers staff it.

Residents will get health screenings, blood and cholesterol tests, immunizations, heart test, std checks, diabetes tests and more.

The clinic can meet basic needs, but if a patient needs long term medical help, or in depth dental or "Hopefully we can see some of those people and decrease that chronic disease that's very costly to them in their personal lives. The are not able to live a healthy life, so hopefully it will decrease health care cost in the long run," said Scott County Public Health Director Jennifer Deschaine.

Joanna Bryant is the tribe's Wellness Admininstrator. She says the partnership is "another one of those areas that we can show we can work together and collaborate when it comes to things as important as the health of people."

The second mobile clinic is Thursday, November 5th, at the Russian Evangelical Christian Church in Shakopee. The truck will be in the parking lot from 2p.m. to 6 p.m. Another clinic is scheduled in Jordan on November 19th. You can go to www.co.scott.mn.us for a complete list of clinics.