MercyOne Mobile Medical Unit supporting RAGBRAI and Bix 7
July 25, 2025The MercyOne Mobile Medical Unit (MMU) is on the road in Iowa supporting RAGBRAI riders and BIX 7 runners with first aid and basic medical services this week.
“We’re seeing a lot of cuts, sore joints, and road rash,” said Michelle Arensdorf, RN, MMU coordinator for MercyOne. “We’re also handing out a lot of sunscreen and bug repellant, trying to get ahead of sunburns and bug bites.”
“We’ve also had a few patients with more serious injuries,” explained Arensdorf. “In those cases we stabilize the patient and package them up for transport to an urgent care or hospital for treatment.”
Arensdorf and her team of four nurses and two support staff treated about 140 riders while set up at Gateway Park in Cedar Falls, Thursday’s overnight stop for RAGBRAI.
The MMU is set up near Oelwein High School for Friday’s overnight stop and then heads to Davenport early Saturday to provide support to BIX 7 runners.
This is the third year the MMU has supported RAGBRAI and the first for the Quad City Times Bix 7. The MMU will help support the 104 medical volunteers in the MercyOne medical tent.
Based in Dubuque, the Mobile Medical Unit’s main focus is to provide services to underserved or uninsured people with health, transportation or financial barriers to accessing care. The unit also participates in larger community events to provide basic health services and education.
