RWJBarnabas Health and New Jersey Reentry Corporation Launch Street Medicine Team
Maria Torres · Union County Life
RWJBarnabas Health, Clara Maass Medical Center, and the New Jersey Reentry Corporation (NJRC) are partnering to bring medical care directly to people facing barriers to traditional healthcare through a new Street Medicine Team. The program will launch with its first walk-in clinic on Thursday, August 13, 2026, at NJRC's Union Reentry Site, 324 Trinity Place in Elizabeth.
Union County Life covers Elizabeth healthcare access, community health programs, and public health initiatives across all 21 Union County municipalities.
Program Leadership
The program is led by Dr. Edward J. Egan, Medical Director of the RWJBarnabas Health Street Medicine Program, a board-certified emergency medicine physician at Trinitas Regional Medical Center. Under the community-health leadership of Dr. Balpreet Grewal-Virk, the initiative brings direct medical care and continuing treatment to individuals facing homelessness and other significant barriers to healthcare.
Who the Program Serves
The initiative is designed to provide community-based medical care to NJRC participants, including individuals returning from court involvement, addiction treatment, and military service. The program addresses common barriers to health care, including transportation challenges, missed appointments, lack of identification or insurance, and limited access to primary and specialty care.
Services Provided
Participants will be able to receive care without insurance, identification, an appointment, or payment. Services include:
Physical examinations and general health assessments
Blood-pressure and blood-glucose monitoring
Basic diagnostic screenings and laboratory referrals
Evaluation of routine medical conditions
Medication reviews and appropriate non-controlled medication refills
Evaluation and continuation of buprenorphine treatment including Suboxone for existing patients when clinically appropriate
Referrals to RWJBarnabas Health-affiliated clinics and specialists
Follow-up care coordination
Patients requiring advanced diagnostic testing, specialty treatment, or ongoing clinical management will be referred to appropriate RWJBarnabas Health-affiliated providers.
Launch and Expansion
The Street Medicine Team initially will visit the Union Reentry Site monthly on Thursday mornings, with plans to potentially expand to twice a month. The team will also assist with urgent clinical needs and care coordination during the week.
Getting Care
The first walk-in clinic begins at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, August 13, 2026, at NJRC's Union Reentry Site, 324 Trinity Place in Elizabeth. No appointment or insurance is required. Participants should bring identification if available, but lack of identification will not prevent care.
Contact Information
For questions or support, contact Union Site Director Karlicia Thomas at 551-256-7872.
Find more Elizabeth healthcare access and community health programs on Union County Life.
Photo Credit: RWJBarnabas Health — Members of the RWJBarnabas Health Community Health team participated in community events across New Jersey alongside FQHC partners, including North Hudson Community Action Corporation, Metropolitan Family Health Network, Zufall Health, and Henry J. Austin Health Center.
FAQ
Q: What is the Street Medicine Team?
A: A partnership between RWJBarnabas Health, Clara Maass Medical Center, and NJRC providing direct medical care to homeless and reentry populations without requiring insurance, identification, appointment, or payment.
Q: When and where does the Street Medicine Team operate?
A: The team launches August 13, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. at NJRC's Union Reentry Site, 324 Trinity Place in Elizabeth. It will visit monthly, potentially expanding to twice monthly.
Q: What services does the Street Medicine Team provide?
A: Physical exams, health assessments, vital sign monitoring, diagnostic screening, medication review, buprenorphine/Suboxone evaluation, specialist referrals, and care coordination.
Q: Who can access the Street Medicine Team?
A: Individuals facing homelessness, court involvement, addiction recovery, military service transitions, or other barriers to traditional healthcare. NJRC participants are priority, but services are community-based.
Q: Do I need insurance to receive care?
A: No. Care is provided without insurance, identification, appointment, or payment.
Q: What do I need to bring?
A: Bring identification if available, but lack of ID will not prevent care. No appointment or special paperwork is required.
Q: Can the Street Medicine Team prescribe medications?
A: Yes, they provide medication reviews and refills for non-controlled medications. They can also evaluate and continue buprenorphine treatment and Suboxone for existing patients.
Q: What if I need more advanced care?
A: Patients needing advanced diagnostic testing, specialty treatment, or ongoing clinical management are referred to RWJBarnabas Health-affiliated providers.
Q: How often does the team visit?
A: Monthly currently, with plans to expand to twice monthly based on demand and resources.
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