RWJBarnabas Health and Union County recently announced a strategic partnership to launch a new mobile pediatric unit aimed at expanding health care access for children throughout the region. The initiative, facilitated through the Union County Office of Health Management, is designed to bring essential medical services directly to the communities that need them most.
Once the mobile unit receives licensure from the State Department of Health, it will follow a robust schedule of community health clinics across Union County. Targeted service locations include Linden, Union Township, Rahway, Elizabeth and Plainfield.
RWJBarnabas Health clinical staff will operate the unit, providing a range of pediatric services, including:
- Essential health screenings and physicals
- Immunizations and vaccinations
- Preventive care
- Health education for children and families
“This is an incredible step forward in expanding access to care for the children of Union County,” Senate President Nicholas Scutari said. “I am grateful to see state appropriations making a meaningful impact on the health of our families and neighbors.”
This collaboration is part of RWJBarnabas Health’s broader “Our Healthy Communities” initiative, which seeks to address the social determinants of health—such as access to nutritious food, transportation, and stable housing—that significantly influence long-term health outcomes.
“The Union County mobile pediatric unit will be a huge step forward in reducing barriers to high-quality care for families,” Margie Heller, senior vice president of Community and Global Health at RWJBarnabas Health said. “Through this partnership, we can continue to support vulnerable communities and expand our reach to bring healthcare and resources to kids in every corner of the county.”
This new mobile unit follows a similar successful launch in Essex County this past April. The initiative strengthens an already extensive local healthcare network, which includes facilities such as Trinitas Regional Medical Center (TRMC) in Elizabeth, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH) in Rahway, and Children’s Specialized Hospital (CSH) in Mountainside.
In addition to the mobile unit, RWJBarnabas Health continues to collaborate with local Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and has recently pioneered a street medicine program at TRMC to assist those experiencing homelessness.
“Our partnership is a strong example of how local government and healthcare providers can work together and maximize resources to have a greater impact on the health of our communities,” Union County Commissioner Chairman Joseph Bodek said.
