University of Rochester Medicine Golisano Children’s launched its Pediatric Mobile Clinic Initiative on August 5 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by community leaders, healthcare providers, donors, and Rochester leaders. Developed in collaboration with Children’s Health Fund, the initiative introduces a community-driven model of care designed to bring quality pediatric services directly to children across the City of Rochester and surrounding communities.
The state-of-the-art mobile clinic, featuring a vibrant, child-centered design by acclaimed Rochester artist Shawn Dunwoody, will travel to schools, community centers, shelters, and youth-serving organizations to deliver care to children and families. The vehicle, filled with imagery of growth, learning, and community life, reflects the initiative’s guiding philosophy: care should be accessible, welcoming, and grounded in the everyday environments of the families it serves.
“This mobile clinic represents a transformational step in how we deliver pediatric care,” said LJ Shipley, MD, vice-chair for regional pediatrics and population health at Golisano Children’s. “We are meeting families where they are, removing barriers, and ensuring that every child, regardless of circumstance, has access to essential healthcare, connection to long-term primary care, and a path to lifelong health.”
“Children’s Health Fund is proud to work with Golisano Children’s Hospital in developing their mobile clinic program that will bring quality healthcare to children and families in need in the greater Rochester community,” said Arturo Brito, MD, MPH, president and CEO of Children’s Health Fund.
The Pediatric Mobile Clinic Initiative will provide essential services including well-child visits, immunizations, and primary care support. Beyond delivering care on-site, the program is designed to strengthen long-term health outcomes by connecting families with established pediatric practices or helping them build a medical home close to where they live.
“Every child deserves the opportunity to receive consistent, high-quality care close to home,” said Jill Halterman, MD, MPH, physician-in-chief of Golisano Children’s. “By bringing services into trusted community settings, we can build relationships, identify needs early, and support children and families in ways that are personal and sustainable.”
Services are available to all children and adolescents up to age 21, regardless of insurance status or housing situation. The initiative will begin in the City of Rochester, with plans for expansion across Monroe County as additional community partnerships are developed.
A defining feature of the initiative is its deep commitment to collaboration. The program was developed alongside local healthcare providers, community-based organizations, and a dedicated community family and youth advisory board, which has helped shape everything from outreach strategies to service delivery.
“In the best of circumstances, young people don’t put their health at the top of their priority list, relying on the adults around them to ensure routine check-ups and immediate care when a health issue arises,” said Val Douglas, Director of Counseling & Runaway and Homeless Youth Services. “When access to that care is complicated by factors such as housing instability for a young person or their family, basic and even critical care can be delayed or missed entirely. A mobile medical unit placed at locations young people already frequent and trust, like The Center for Youth, goes a long way toward addressing those complications and reducing barriers to the important health care everyone deserves.”
The initiative was made possible through significant philanthropic investment, including leadership support from LeChase Construction, whose commitment—strengthened through its efforts at the 2025 Golisano Children’s Gala—helped bring the mobile clinic to life. Additional donors and community partners also contributed to the project’s realization, underscoring a shared commitment to improving health equity for children across the region.
The Pediatric Mobile Clinic Initiative represents a bold step forward in Golisano Children’s mission to advance pediatric health equity and ensure every child has access to high-quality care—wherever they are. This summer and fall, the Mobile Unit will visit multiple locations throughout the city, and Mobile Clinic appearances will be continuously updated on the following website: https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/childrens-hospital/mobile-clinic.
Provided information and photo
