June 2, 2026- RWJBarnabas Health has launched New Jersey’s first-ever Street Medicine Program, bringing healthcare directly to unhoused individuals in the City of Elizabeth through a mobile care model designed to reach patients where they are. The initiative is based at Trinitas Regional Medical Center and is expected to serve as a blueprint for expansion throughout the state.
The program deploys a dedicated medical team in a mobile unit to homeless shelters, transitional housing facilities, and other community locations frequented by people experiencing homelessness. In addition to providing urgent and preventive care, the team will connect patients with mental health services, substance use support, transportation resources, and long-term healthcare providers.
“Our Street Medicine Program is born from a culture that recognizes everyone, regardless of circumstance, is deserving of compassion and access to the world-class healthcare we provide,” said Mark E. Manigan, president and CEO of RWJBarnabas Health.
Led by emergency physician Edward Egan, the program will focus on reducing barriers to care for vulnerable populations, including individuals without health insurance or reliable transportation. Services include chronic disease management, mental health support, street psychiatry, substance use interventions, and care coordination.
The initiative is supported through funding from the State of New Jersey and is part of RWJBarnabas Health’s broader “Our Healthy Communities” strategy aimed at addressing health disparities and social determinants of health. According to the health system, New Jersey’s unhoused population has reached nearly 14,000 people, underscoring the need for innovative approaches to care delivery.
Healthcare leaders say the program has the potential to improve health outcomes, reduce avoidable hospitalizations, and create a reliable entry point into the healthcare system for one of the state’s most vulnerable populations.