In a major expansion of local health care access, RWJBarnabas Health and Essex County have officially rolled out a state-licensed mobile pediatric unit designed to bring “world-class care” directly to New Jersey doorsteps.
The announcement, made on April 17, marks a significant upgrade for the initiative. The New Jersey Department of Health has granted the unit a Medical Facility license, allowing the clinic to move beyond basic vaccinations to offer a full suite of primary care services, including physicals, screenings and preventive care.
The mobile clinic is a direct response to two of the most significant hurdles facing underserved communities: transportation and scheduling. To accommodate working parents, the clinics are strategically scheduled for Thursdays from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m., rotating through all 22 municipalities in Essex County.
“Getting kids the physicals they need isn’t just about health – it’s about removing barriers so they can show up ready to learn and succeed in school,” Margie Heller, senior vice president of Community and Global Health at RWJBarnabas Health said.
The mobile unit builds on the success of the Essex County Vaccine for Children (VFC) Program, which has seen explosive growth since its 2023 launch:
- Vaccinations: Nearly 1,000 children have been vaccinated, with over 2,330 doses administered.
- Funding Growth: The value of distributed vaccines rose from roughly $70,000 in 2024 to over $135,000 in 2025.
- Reinvestment: The project is part of RWJBarnabas Health’s $151 million reinvestment into community health initiatives.
“This mobile clinic is born from our commitment to ensuring that RWJBarnabas Health’s world-class care is accessible to everyone, of every age, in every community,” Mark Manigan, president and CEO of RWJBarnabas Health said.
Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo praised the collaboration as a “great example” of how government and private healthcare systems can pool resources to maximize community impact.
By achieving full licensure, the unit can now provide the necessary medical clearances and preventive screenings required for New Jersey school enrollment, ensuring that students aren’t kept out of the classroom due to a lack of healthcare access.
The initiative is funded through the Our Healthy Communities program, which addresses social determinants of health such as nutrition, housing, and economic mobility alongside traditional medical treatment.
Families looking for the mobile unit’s schedule can contact the Essex County Office of Public Health Management or visit the RWJBarnabas Health website for the latest rotation dates across the county’s 22 municipalities.
