Union County highlights street medicine program delivering care to people experiencing homelessness in Elizabeth

The Union County Board of County Commissioners on the agenda-setting night welcomed representatives from Robert Wood Johnson (RWJBarnabas) and Trinitas Regional Medical Center to spotlight a street medicine program based in Elizabeth that provides hospital-level care and links people experiencing homelessness to county resources.

Chairman Bodek introduced the presenters and said the program "delivers critical health care services and support directly to individuals experiencing homelessness," bringing care beyond traditional settings. Amy Wagner, deputy county manager and director of Economic Development, thanked the hospital partners and said the award and recognition belonged to the community for building partnerships that expand access to care.

Dr. Edward Egan, identified as the street medicine medical director, described the program's field work and partnerships with county agencies. "Just today, I saw over 10 people on the street that needed emergent care, and that otherwise wouldn't have been seen," he said, describing roughly two hours of outreach and the team's role connecting people to county resources and the prosecutor's office when appropriate.

County officials praised the program's combination of clinical care and resource navigation, and noted RWJBarnabas provided grant support that made the work possible. The board indicated it will adopt a resolution recognizing the program during the regular meeting later in the evening.

The presentation emphasized outreach, partnerships and care coordination rather than new county spending decisions; board members and program leaders framed the program as a community resource linking clinical care and county services. The regular meeting will include the formal resolution recognizing the initiative.