Medicine in Motion: The KIDS Mobile Clinic.

Every morning at Union Station, a MedStar Health driver begins a daily ritual: checking and preparing two specially equipped vehicles for a day of pediatric care in Wards 6 and 7. These are not ambulances—they are full-service medical clinics on wheels, bringing healthcare directly to Washington, D.C. families for more than three decades.

Founded in 1992 to address gaps in healthcare access, the KIDS Mobile Medical Clinic (KMMC) has evolved into a multigenerational partnership with D.C.'s most underserved communities. Families in these areas experience significant health disparities, including infant mortality, asthma, mental health challenges, and developmental concerns. KMMC tackles these issues through consistent, accessible care. Throughout the past two years, the clinic has provided more than 1,160 visits to 635 unique patients.

"We are in the second and third generations in some families because of the relationships and trust we've built with the communities we serve,” says Janine Rethy, MD, medical director of the mobile clinic. After 33 years, word of mouth remains the program's most powerful recruitment tool—a testament to the trust built one visit at a time.

KMMC operates two mobile clinics. The primary unit offers a comprehensive range of pediatric care services, including routine checkups and sick visits. The Wellbeing Unit houses an expanding array of specialized services, including the new Healthy Futures Clinic, which focuses on adolescent healthcare and provides targeted support for pregnant and parenting teens.

“We go to the same sites every week, so families know where to find us when they need us,” explains Dr. Rethy. The mobile clinics are strategically and thoughtfully positioned near where families gather, such as affordable housing communities, recreation centers, and faith-based institutions—so care remains easily accessible to those who need it most.

What sets KMMC apart is its comprehensive, patient-centered model. Before each visit, parents complete electronic questionnaires about social needs and their child's development. During morning huddles, the interdisciplinary team—including providers, nurses, family services coordinators, and others—reviews these responses to develop individualized care plans.

Visits often take longer than those at traditional clinics, because the team takes the time necessary to address each family's unique concerns and needs. Throughout the day, a back-office team manages calls for sick triage, paperwork, and other needs, relaying messages to the van associates for follow-up care. This level of attention helps ensure families feel supported and heard.

As a recognized HealthySteps site, the clinic serves as a hub for holistic family care from birth to age 3. In addition to pediatric visits, parents can access financial coaching through a Medical Financial Partnership with Georgetown Law, healthy housing support, and help navigating D.C.'s mental health infrastructure. Through the clinic’s ProduceRx program, families receive fresh produce. The clinic also connects food-insecure families to food assistance programs through partnerships with organizations like Dreaming Out Loud and Fresh Farms.

Social-emotional and developmental wellbeing are just as central to the clinic’s mission. A clinical social worker provides short-term counseling, while a part-time licensed marriage and family therapist offers individual and family therapy for patients or caregivers. When more intensive care is required, the team works with families to identify appropriate community resources.  To encourage early literacy and play-based learning, families also receive free books through Reach Out and Read and LEGO® sets through Rx4Play.

Looking ahead to 2026, the team plans to expand its Prenatal Pediatric Visit program to support expecting parents in their third trimester, ensuring smooth transitions to newborn care.

“Mobile clinics bring high-quality, comprehensive services directly into the community, meeting families where they are,” says Dr. Rethy. “Beyond convenience, these clinics build trust. Families see familiar faces and experience care that feels personal and consistent. Over time, that trust leads to stronger relationships, better follow-up, and improved health outcomes.”

The clinic’s programs have gained national recognition. Its asthma screening program was recently highlighted at the American Academy of Pediatrics meeting for demonstrating how targeted community-based interventions can identify undiagnosed conditions in high-prevalence areas.