It’s baaaaack! Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center’s Care-A-Van, the 40-foot mobile clinic that delivers quality medical care to a diverse population, returned last month to the streets of Baltimore.

Barriers such as language, lack of transportation and lack of financial resources hinder many Baltimore residents from receiving proper health care. Since June 2000, the Care-A-Van has been taking care of the health needs of underserved people at no cost to them. Services—including tuberculosis testing, blood pressure checks, pregnancy testing and immunizations—are targeted to uninsured children and families who do not have a regular source of medical care. 

After serving the community for many years, the original vehicle needed to be replaced. The new van, made possible by a donation from the France-Merrick Foundation, features two patient exam rooms, an intake area, lab/work area, bathroom and patient waiting area. Its colorful exterior was designed by a team from Johns Hopkins Medicine’s Marketing and Communications.