How Dinner to Go Supports Augusta Health Mobile Medical Care

Between October 1, 2025, and September 30, 2026, Augusta Health’s Mobile Medical Unit provided 553 patient visits to 375 neighbors in remote and high-need areas of the Shenandoah Valley. To keep these services running, the Augusta Health Foundation is now using a three-course meal to raise funds through its "Dinner to Go. Care in Motion.” initiative, with orders closing Friday, October 30.

The initiative addresses a fundamental gap in rural healthcare: the distance between a patient’s front door and a clinical exam room. For many in the Valley, a lack of reliable transportation or the geographic isolation of their neighborhood transforms a routine check-up into a logistical hurdle. By bringing the clinic to the patient, Augusta Health removes the transit barrier that often leads to deferred care and worsening chronic conditions.

The scale of rural outreach in the Shenandoah Valley

The impact of these mobile and satellite services extends beyond the van. While the Mobile Medical Unit focuses on the most remote areas, the broader network of Neighborhood Clinics operates as a critical safety net. According to data reported by Augusta Health, these clinics served 1,217 patients across 2,400 visits at 27 different locations during the same one-year period.

Service Branch	Unique Patients	Total Patient Visits
Mobile Medical Unit	375	553
Neighborhood Clinics	1,217	2,400

This distribution of care highlights a strategic shift toward community-based medicine. Rather than requiring every resident to travel to a central hospital hub, the system distributes its resources across the region. This model is designed to ensure that basic health screenings and primary care are accessible regardless of a patient’s zip code or income level.

“Our Neighborhood Clinics and Mobile Medical Unit exist because care should not depend on how close you live to a hospital,” said Kris Doan, MBA, FACHE, senior vice president of Augusta Health and president of Augusta Medical Group. “When someone supports the Foundation, they are helping us show up for a neighbor who needs us.”

The economic engine behind the meal

The “Dinner to Go” fundraiser operates on a simple premise: converting a luxury dining experience into a medical lifeline. Prepared by Chef William and the Augusta Health culinary team, the $150 dinner for two includes mixed greens with strawberries and goat cheese, a choice of grilled tenderloin or garden vegetable gratin, and a selection of bourbon pecan pie or cinnamon cheesecake.

For local businesses, the Foundation offers bundled options—five dinners for $750 or ten for $1,500—allowing companies to use the fundraiser as a vehicle for employee or client appreciation. The funds generated go directly to the Augusta Health Foundation, the charitable arm of the health system, which finances new programs, state-of-the-art equipment, and vital outreach services.

Deadlines and logistics for participants

The window for ordering closes this Friday, October 30. Orders can be placed through the official foundation portal at ahfoundation.augustahealth.com/dinner-to-go.

Once ordered, the meals will be available for pickup on Friday, November 6, between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the Augusta Health Outpatient Clinic.