Health and Fitness : VGH, UI ARC Mobile MAT Clinic, and BCOC Partner to Expand Access to Care

Pictured: Members of the Benton County Opioid Committee, University of Iowa Addiction and Recovery Collaborative (UI ARC) Mobile MAT Clinic team, and Virginia Gay Hospital staff gathered during a recent visit focused on expanding access to substance use treatment and community-based care in Benton County.

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Virginia Gay Hospital (VGH) recently hosted the University of Iowa Addiction and Recovery Collaborative (UI ARC) Mobile Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) Clinic, bringing expanded access to substance use disorder treatment directly to the local community.

During the visit, members of the Benton County Opioid Committee joined the UI ARC team for a brief meet and greet and discussion highlighting how the program is making an impact across Iowa. The Mobile MAT Clinic, which began seeing patients in March 2024, has served 118 unique patients as of March 2026.

The program currently partners with seven active referral sites across Linn, Johnson, Scott, and Benton counties, including Virginia Gay Hospital in Vinton. Additional clinics are scheduled to expand services into Washington County in the coming months.

The Mobile MAT Clinic provides on-site, patient-centered care for individuals experiencing substance use disorders, including opioid, stimulant, alcohol, cannabis, and tobacco use. Services include comprehensive assessments, medication management, care coordination, infectious disease screening, and connections to ongoing treatment and recovery support. Patients can also be linked to continued care through University of Iowa Health Care, either in person or via telehealth.

Virginia Gay Hospital has been working closely with the Mobile MAT Clinic team since February 2026, hosting monthly visits that include both patient care and hands-on training for providers. In addition to providing direct services, the team is supporting VGH in developing a local Suboxone clinic, helping expand long-term access to medication-assisted treatment within Benton County so patients can receive care closer to home.

Support from Benton County Opioid funding is also playing an important role in the success of this initiative, providing resources that contribute to the development and sustainability of VGH’s Suboxone Clinic and expanding access to care for individuals in the community.

As part of a broader commitment to supporting a safe and welcoming environment for patients, staff, and the community, Virginia Gay Hospital is implementing Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) training with support from Benton County Opioid Committee funding. Training is currently underway, with two staff members certified in November 2025 to provide de-escalation education, helping strengthen communication skills and promote a calm, supportive care environment across the organization.

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Benton County Opioid Committee Impact Across the Community

Beyond its support of initiatives at Virginia Gay Hospital, the Benton County Opioid Committee is leading a broader, countywide effort to address substance use and strengthen community resources.

The committee, made up of local leaders and community partners including Ray Lough, Hayley Rippel, Grace Schmidt, Dr. Brian Meeker, Dan Lagrange, Shelby Chekal, Josh Karsten, James Bieschke, Katie Cox, Tina Eden, Stephanie Boesenberg (ASAC), Meredith Runge, Jean Ohlen, Cindy Pattee, and Ben Parmater, plays a key role in guiding these efforts and ensuring funding decisions reflect the needs of Benton County residents.

Benton County has begun receiving opioid settlement funds as a result of national pharmaceutical litigation, with distributions occurring over time. The Benton County Opioid Committee has taken a thoughtful and strategic approach to ensuring these funds are used in ways that create meaningful and lasting impact across multiple sectors of the community.

In alignment with approved settlement guidelines, the committee has prioritized investments across prevention, treatment, and recovery. These efforts extend beyond any single organization and include transportation assistance to improve access to care, safe medication storage initiatives such as prescription bottle locks, and support for training and education programs across local agencies.

Additional investments have focused on strengthening support systems countywide, including funding a full-time nurse within the Benton County Jail to address immediate health and substance use needs, and establishing a care navigator position in partnership with ASAC to help individuals connect with treatment and recovery resources. The committee has also supported the distribution of backpacks with essential supplies for individuals in need, helping reduce barriers and provide support during critical times.

Recognizing the long-term nature of the opioid crisis, the Benton County Opioid Committee remains committed to responsible stewardship of these funds, focusing on sustainable, community-driven solutions that improve access to care, strengthen partnerships, and enhance outcomes for Benton County residents.

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This initiative is supported in part by State Opioid Response (SOR) funding, which helps bring critical resources and treatment options directly to rural and underserved communities. The visit to VGH offered local stakeholders an opportunity to see firsthand how these combined efforts are improving access to care and supporting recovery across the region.

“Having the Mobile MAT Clinic here allows us to meet patients where they are and reduce barriers to treatment,” said Tina Eden, CEO of Virginia Gay Hospital. “Through this partnership, we are not only expanding access to care today but also building a sustainable program for the future right here in Benton County.”

Virginia Gay Hospital is proud to partner with UI ARC, Benton County, and local organizations to expand access to care and support healthier outcomes for individuals and families.