Last Wednesday was a big day for Harnett County as First Choice Community Health Centers celebrated a milestone and unveiled their new mobile medical and dental units.

At an event at the Harnett County Courthouse, First Choice Community Health Centers, formerly Western Medical Group, celebrated 30 years of serving Harnett County citizens.

The new 40-foot units, one dental and one medical, each have two examination rooms, a private consultation room for patients and care providers and equipment space. The units also feature online communication to allow access to patient records.

The mobile units will go into full operation next month by visiting schools, churches, local agencies and community centers three days a week until December. After that, the units will be traveling throughout the community offering preventive health, diagnostic and dental care five days a week.

The units will also be available for disaster response needs in the area.

During last week's gala, the group also unveiled plans for a permanent facility on US 401 in Lillington, which should be operational by late next year.

Currently, facilities in the group are Boone Trail Medical, Anderson Creek Medical, Anderson Creek Dental Clinic, Benhaven Medical and Angier Medical. The facilities provide health care on a sliding scale basis.

First Choice Community Health Centers received their first grant in August 1978 to open a medical center in Mamers. Since that time, the organization has expanded to include one dental and four medical centers in Harnett County. These sites are designed to improve access to healthcare with a range of special programs including sliding fee scales, free mammograms, prescription savings, and referral services.

First Choice now sees a total of more than 10,000 patients each year at all of its clinics.