RWJBarnabas Health and Union County announced June 10 the signing of an agreement to roll out a mobile pediatric unit that will provide local children with essential health services.
The strategic partnership through the Union County Office of Health Management builds upon RWJBarnabas Health’s ongoing work to expand health care access and address barriers to care.
Once licensed by the State Department of Health, the mobile unit will travel to Linden, Union Township, Rahway, Elizabeth, Plainfield and other communities across Union County. The unit will offer a schedule of community health clinics in convenient locations where children and their families live, work and attend school. RWJBarnabas Health clinical staff will provide pediatric health screenings, physicals, immunizations, health education, and preventive services.
This announcement follows the April launch of a mobile pediatric unit in Essex County that expands access to care for children across the county.
The Union County Mobile Pediatric Health Unit is part of RWJBarnabas Health’s Our Healthy Communities initiative to address the social determinants of health that impact health outcomes. The health system is partnering with local leaders, health care providers, civic organizations, clergy and community-based organizations to strengthen critical social and health care infrastructure and expand patient access to care, healthy foods, nutrition education, transportation, economic mobility and stable housing.
“Ensuring historically vulnerable communities have access to world-class health care that uses the latest and best technologies in a welcoming and comfortable space is central to our mission to build and sustain a healthier New Jersey,” said Mark E. Manigan, president and chief executive officer, RWJBarnabas Health. “Monmouth Family Health Center is a vital partner in this mission, and this investment shows it will continue to be well into our shared future.”
Supported by community health resources from the State of New Jersey, RWJBarnabas Health has reinvested more than $151 million in community health initiatives beyond traditional medical care to build and sustain long-term health for the residents and communities it serves.
In addition to partnering with Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) including Neighborhood Health in Elizabeth and Plainfield, the health system recently launched the state’s first-ever street medicine program at Trinitas Regional Medical Center (TRMC) to deliver care to those experiencing homelessness.
Union County previously collaborated with TRMC and Ritesh Shah Charitable Pharmacy (RSCP) to enhance access to essential prescription medications for more than 54,000 residents facing financial difficulties.