Peter Ho Memorial Center marked the purchase of a new mobile medical unit designed to bring HIV treatments into the community. Photo credit: Saint Michael’s Medical Center.
HIV was once a headline-dominating public health crisis in the 1980s and 1990s. But while public attention faded, the disease did not.
Newark today has the highest number of HIV cases in New Jersey, with communities of color and low-income residents disproportionately affected.
The stigma around HIV, a lack of access and complacency continue to prevent people from getting tested and treated.
Saint Michael’s Medical Center is responding by taking HIV services out of the hospital and into the community, meeting people where they are and confronting an epidemic that never disappeared.
The hospital launched a fully equipped, mobile medical unit that is expected to serve about 600 people monthly in Newark and Essex County. The medical unit will be operated by the hospital’s Peter Ho Memorial Center, which has provided HIV and AIDS treatment since the early days of the disease.
Mark Brown, the office manager at Peter Ho, said the van represents a strategic investment in expanding equitable access to infectious disease care.
“This initiative reflects the ongoing commitment of Saint Michael’s to strengthening community-based healthcare delivery while maintaining Peter Ho Memorial Center’s role as a regional hub for infectious disease treatment, prevention and education,” Brown said.
HIV remains a very significant public health issue in Newark as it is the epicenter of the local HIV epidemic. Newark is consistently ranked among the highest cities in New Jersey for HIV, with prevalence rates higher than national average.
Through December 2020, Newark was reported to have the highest number of reported HIV/ AIDS cases in the state, followed by Jersey City and Paterson, according to the state Department of Health. Newark’s HIV concentration is high relative to its population.
“Meeting people where they are is essential to equitable care,” said Reginald Bledsoe, Director of the Essex County Office of LGBTQ+ Affairs. “Saint Michael’s makes that possible by offering comprehensive, wraparound services—from treatment to medication access—all in one place. The team at the Peter Ho Memorial Center is phenomenal.”
The new van, which is nicknamed “Mobile Mike,” replaces an older one that had been used for many years until it was retired in 2020. During the time the van operated, it provided services to 15,000 in Newark and beyond.
“It’s a long time coming, but this is a valuable asset for the community,” said Saint Michael’s CEO Alan Sickles, MD. “It’s vitally important to Peter Ho, which is one of our premier programs. I’m so proud of the work that they do.”
The new $340,000 medical unit will be deployed four days a week, 16 days a month, and will partner with local community-based organizations and public health agencies. No appointments will be necessary. The medical unit is equipped with a computer terminal that is connected to the hospital’s electronic medical record system.
Mobile Mike will serve everyone in the community, including the uninsured, underinsured, unhoused and undocumented individuals.
“Our goal is to reach people who might face barriers to accessing care, ensuring no one is turned away,” Brown said.
Extending treatment to people in the community removes barriers, such as a lack of transportation, he said.
“This mobile platform enables timely diagnosis, continuity of care, and early intervention, supporting improved health outcomes and reduced community transmission,” Brown said. “This program advances a sustainable, collaborative model that aligns clinical excellence with community-centered care.”
To learn more about the Peter Ho Memorial Center’s services visit smmcnj.com/peterho or call 973-877-5649.
