Regional vaccination clinics and mobile health clinics connected 154 children to vaccinations and other health and wellness resources
Pictured, from left, at the Essex County regional clinic at Essex County Donald Payne School of Technology: Jeaneva Turman, Supervisor, Health Services, Newark Board of Education; Ernani Sadural, MD, PhD, Medical Director, Community & Global Health, RWJBarnabas Health; Essex County Office of Public Health Management (ECOPHM) nurses Brenda Porter, Tamara Houston, and Hyda Kilonzo; Margie Heller, Senior Vice President, Community & Global Health, RWJBarnabas Health; Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr., Essex County Executive; Maya Harlow, Health Officer/Director, ECOPHM; Lauren Norcross, Assistant Vice President, Community & Global Health, RWJBarnabas Health; Toye Kirkland, Coordinator, ECOPHM; and Spencer Okotah, Mobile Health Coordinator, ECOPHM.
West Orange, N.J., September 29, 2026 – RWJBarnabas Health, in partnership with the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH), hosted a series of successful back-to-school events as part of their "Stay Well, Learn Well” initiative which provides childhood vaccinations, school physicals, and other wellness resources to help ensure children across New Jersey are healthy, protected and ready to learn. The events included five pediatric mobile health clinics and two regional vaccination clinics that took place throughout August and September in Essex and Union Counties.
Through the events, 107 children received school physicals, 144 vaccinations were administered, 61 families were connected with healthcare referrals, and dozens more were connected with community resources.
“Every physical we conducted, every childhood vaccine we delivered and every connection we have made to promote a child’s long-term health is vital to ensuring every kid can stay well and learn well,” said Mark Manigan, President and Chief Executive Officer, RWJBarnabas Health. “We are grateful to Governor Sherrill, Commissioner Washington and every county and local partner who joined together to give our kids a healthy start to the school year.”
Stay Well, Learn Well brings together New Jersey’s largest academic health system, state and county health departments, Federally Qualified Health Centers, local school districts and community organizations to expand access to recommended childhood immunizations, school physicals and preventive healthcare services. In addition to the regional back-to-school vaccination clinics and pediatric mobile health clinics, RWJBarnabas Health and NJDOH held two community outreach events designed to connect families with healthcare resources and support services.
“Our commitment to advancing public health through prevention, equitable access, community partnerships, and evidence-based strategies that protect the health of New Jersey residents was at the heart of this initiative,” said State Health Commissioner Dr. Raynard E. Washington. “Partnering with RWJBarnabas Health and others reflects our shared goal of removing barriers to care and making it easier for families to access vaccinations and other preventive healthcare services so every child enters the classroom healthy and ready to succeed.”
Additional resources available at the clinics included:
- RWJBarnabas Health clinicians and pediatric physicians providing school physicals;
- Community Health Workers connecting families with community resources;
- SNAP Navigators providing nutrition assistance;
- Vaccines for Children providers offering recommended childhood vaccinations;
- Transportation assistance to eligible families;
- Lunch box giveaways;
- County health officials supporting appointment scheduling;
- And more.
The clinics across Essex and Union Counties build upon RWJBarnabas Health’s efforts through the Our Healthy Communities initiative to expand access to care in underserved communities. Other efforts the health system has taken in the region include launching a mobile pediatric clinic in partnership with Essex County, opening Harvest: A Farm to Community Center in Newark, implementing the Brigaid chef-made meals program in Newark Public Schools, launching the state's first Street Medicine Program to serve Elizabeth's homeless population, and supporting multiple Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) partners across Essex and Union counties.
“Every child deserves to begin the school year healthy and prepared to learn,” saidEssex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. “This initiative brings preventative health services directly into our communities, making it easier for Essex County families to obtain the care their children need. We are grateful for this collaboration with RWJBarnabas Health, the New Jersey Department of Health and our community partners to eliminate barriers to care and support our families.”
“Making essential healthcare convenient and accessible gives our children a stronger start in the classroom and helps our entire community thrive,” said Union County Board of County Commissioners Chair Joseph Bodek. “Union County is proud to support this effort to connect families with vaccinations, school physicals and trusted health resources close to home. Together, we are ensuring every student returns to school healthy, confident and ready to succeed.”
Pictured, from left, at the Essex County regional clinic: Toye Kirkland, Coordinator, Essex County Office of Public Health Management (ECOPHM); Lauren Norcross, Assistant Vice President, Community & Global Health, RWJBarnabas Health; Kim Cook, Director, Social Impact and Community Investment, Newark Beth Israel Medical Center; Ernani Sadural, MD, PhD, Medical Director, Community & Global Health, RWJBarnabas Health; Maya Harlow, Health Officer/Director, ECOPHM; Assemblywoman Eliana Pintor Marin; Anthony Nuñez Fernandez, Director, Community Health Workers – Northern Region, RWJBarnabas Health; Margie Heller, Senior Vice President, Community & Global Health, RWJBarnabas Health; Keely Magee, Assistant Manager, Public Policy & External Affairs, RWJBarnabas Health; Molly Fallon Dixon, RDN, Director, Food Access and Social Impact, RWJBarnabas Health; Spencer Okotah, Mobile Health Coordinator, ECOPHM; and Barbara Mintz, RDN, Senior Vice President, Social Impact and Community Investment, RWJBarnabas Health.
A pediatric patient gets her blood pressure taken during a back-to-school physical at the Essex County regional clinic.
Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr., paused for a blood pressure screening at the Essex County regional clinic.
A pediatric patient receives his back-to-school hearing test at the Essex County regional clinic in Newark.
Pictured, from left: Maya Harlow, Health Officer/Director, Essex County Office of Public Health Management (ECOPHM); Assemblywoman Eliana Pintor Marin; and Margie Heller, Senior Vice President, Community & Global Health, RWJBarnabas Health, at the Essex County regional clinic in Newark.
Pictured, from left, at the Union County regional clinic: Sandra Cortes, Health Officer, Union County; Juliana Silva, Director of Health, Union County; Debbie-Ann Anderson, Director of Human Services, Union County; Amy Wagner, Deputy County Manager, Union County; Lourdes Leon, Union County Commissioner; New Jersey Health Commissioner Dr. Raynard E. Washington; Margie Heller, Senior Vice President, Community & Global Health, RWJBarnabas Health; Dr. Nancy DiLiegro, President and Chief Executive Officer, Trinitas Regional Medical Center (TRMC); Eric Kleinert, Chief Administrative Officer, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Rahway; Sister Rosemary Moynihan, PhD, Vice President, Mission Integration, TRMC; and George Helmy, Executive Vice President and Chief External Affairs and Policy Officer.
New Jersey Health Commissioner Dr. Raynard E. Washington (center) pictured here testing the Martti medical interpretation technology alongside Ernani Sadural, MD, PhD, Medical Director, Community & Global Health, RWJBarnabas Health, and Margie Heller, Senior Vice President, Community & Global Health, RWJBarnabas Health.
New Jersey Health Commissioner Dr. Raynard E. Washington sits for a hearing test at the Union County regional clinic.
A patient at the Union County regional clinic getting her back-to-school physical.
A patient at the Union County regional clinic receives his flu vaccine.
About RWJBarnabas Health
RWJBarnabas Health is New Jersey’s largest and most comprehensive academic health system, caring for more than five million people annually. Nationally renowned for quality and safety, the system includes 14 hospitals and 9,000 affiliated physicians integrated to provide care at more than 700 patient care locations.
RWJBarnabas Health partners with its communities to build and sustain a healthier New Jersey. It provides patient-centered care in a compassionate manner and is the state’s largest safety-net provider and a leader in addressing the social determinants of health. RWJBarnabas Health provides food to the hungry, housing for the homeless and economic opportunities to those most vulnerable.
RWJBarnabas Health’s commitment to enhancing access to care includes a transformative partnership with Rutgers University, including Rutgers Cancer Institute — the state’s only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center — and Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.
RWJBarnabas Health is among New Jersey’s largest private employers, with more than 45,000 employees, contributing more than $7 billion to the state economy every year. For more information, visit www.RWJBH.org.
Contact: Carrie Cristello
Carrie.Cristello@RWJBH.org