A new 40-foot mobile health clinic is hitting the road in Central Massachusetts, bringing medical and dental care directly to schools and neighborhoods where access to health services can be difficult.
UMass Memorial Health and Ronald McDonald House New England celebrated the launch of the third-generation Ronald McDonald Care Mobile on Tuesday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Green Island Neighborhood Center at Crompton Park in Worcester.
The new vehicle replaces a mobile clinic that served the region for 14 years, continuing a program that has provided health care outside traditional medical settings for more than a quarter-century.
The Care Mobile currently serves 26 Worcester public and charter schools and 11 community locations, providing primary care, preventive dental services, immunizations, health screenings and health education to children, adults and families.
In fiscal year 2025, the program provided more than 5,000 patient visits, according to UMass Memorial Health.
The mobile clinic is staffed by a multidisciplinary medical team that provides physical examinations, immunizations, treatment for chronic conditions and less urgent medical needs, preventive dental care and on-site diagnostic testing. Patients can also receive referrals for additional services.
The program is designed to reduce barriers that can prevent residents from obtaining routine medical care, including transportation difficulties, financial constraints and the need to miss work or school for appointments.
“Access to care remains one of the greatest challenges facing many families. The Ronald McDonald Care Mobile brings essential health care services directly into our communities, eliminating obstacles such as transportation, cost and time away from work or school,” Dr. Eric Dickson, president and CEO of UMass Memorial Health, said in the announcement. “This new vehicle represents a continued investment in health equity and our commitment to meeting patients where they are.”
A Worcester program with national roots
The Ronald McDonald Care Mobile was established in Worcester in 2000 through a partnership between UMass Memorial Medical Center and Ronald McDonald House New England.
It was the first program of its kind in the country and became a model for similar mobile health initiatives elsewhere.
Over the years, the program has expanded beyond routine medical and dental services to respond to emerging public health needs.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, between March 2020 and March 2023, Care Mobile staff administered more than 114,000 free COVID-19 tests and more than 12,000 vaccinations. The team also distributed more than 101,000 masks.
More recently, the program has provided medical assistance to migrant families living in emergency shelters. Since July 2023, it has recorded more than 1,000 visits involving those families, helping patients obtain insurance coverage and connect with ongoing medical care.
Lauren Hoops-Schmieg, CEO of Ronald McDonald House New England, said the program’s longevity reflects the continued demand for community-based health services.
“Our Care Mobile team has been an innovator for more than 25 years since the launch of the very first Care Mobile here in Worcester,” Hoops-Schmieg said in the announcement. “Our continued service for decades is a testament to how important having a program like this in our communities is. Ronald McDonald House New England is looking forward to the next 25 years of care, compassion, and collaboration with the UMass Medical team and all our partners.”
Continuing care in the community
The point of the new vehicle is pretty clear—it’ll allow for the program to bring health services to schools and other neighborhood locations rather than requiring patients to come to the hospital or a medical office.
Tuesday’s ceremony brought together UMass Memorial Health executives, Care Mobile staff, representatives from Ronald McDonald House New England and philanthropic supporters, including The Hanover Insurance Group and the Ruby W. and LaVon P. Linn Foundation.
