RWJBarnabas Health and New Jersey Reentry Corporation Launch Street Medicine Team

RWJBarnabas Health, Clara Maass Medical Center, and the New Jersey Reentry Corporation (NJRC) have partnered to launch a Street Medicine Team that brings medical care directly to people facing barriers to traditional healthcare. The program represents an innovative approach to serving vulnerable populations in Elizabeth with accessible, dignified healthcare.

Union County Life covers Elizabeth healthcare, community partnerships, and social services 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 and a board-certified emergency medicine physician at Trinitas Regional Medical Center. Dr. Balpreet Grewal-Virk provides community-health leadership for the initiative.

First Clinic Launch

The Street Medicine Team will launch its first walk-in clinic at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, August 13, 2026, at NJRC's Union Reentry Site located at 324 Trinity Place in Elizabeth. The site is accessible for residents seeking medical care.

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 recognizes that many people face significant barriers to accessing healthcare and seeks to remove those obstacles.

Services Offered

The Street Medicine Team provides comprehensive healthcare without requiring 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 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

Removing Barriers to Care

The program addresses common barriers to healthcare including transportation challenges, missed appointments, lack of identification or insurance, and limited access to primary and specialty care. By bringing care directly to vulnerable populations, the Street Medicine Team removes obstacles and builds trust.

Visit Schedule and Expansion Plans

The Street Medicine Team initially will visit the Union Reentry Site monthly, with plans to potentially expand to twice monthly. The program is designed to grow and serve more residents as it gains traction in the community.

Getting Help

For questions or support regarding the Street Medicine Team, residents can contact Union Site Director Karlicia Thomas at 551-256-7872.

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FAQ

Q: Where can I get free medical care without insurance in Elizabeth?
A: The RWJBarnabas Health Street Medicine Team provides free medical care at NJRC's Union Reentry Site (324 Trinity Place) without requiring insurance, identification, or payment. The program launches August 13.

Q: What is the Street Medicine Team?
A: The Street Medicine Team is a partnership between RWJBarnabas Health, Clara Maass Medical Center, and the New Jersey Reentry Corporation to bring medical care directly to vulnerable populations who face barriers to traditional healthcare.

Q: When does the Street Medicine Team provide care?
A: The program initially visits monthly, with plans to expand to twice monthly. The first clinic is Thursday, August 13, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.

Q: Where is the clinic located?
A: The clinic is at NJRC's Union Reentry Site, 324 Trinity Place, Elizabeth, New Jersey.

Q: What services are provided?
A: Services include physical exams, health assessments, blood pressure and glucose monitoring, diagnostic screenings, medication reviews, medication refills, buprenorphine/Suboxone treatment evaluation, specialist referrals, and follow-up care coordination.

Q: Do I need insurance or identification?
A: No. The Street Medicine Team provides care without requiring insurance, identification, an appointment, or payment.

Q: Who can use the Street Medicine Team?
A: The program is designed to serve vulnerable populations, including individuals returning from court involvement, addiction treatment, and military service, as well as others facing barriers to healthcare.

Q: Can I get addiction treatment medication at the clinic?
A: Yes. The program provides evaluation and continuation of buprenorphine treatment including Suboxone for existing patients when clinically appropriate.

Q: How do I contact the program for more information?
A: Contact Union Site Director Karlicia Thomas at 551-256-7872 for questions or support.