The Northeast Wisconsin Community Clinic mobile unit has been traveling across the region since 2023, providing medical, dental, and behavioral health services to people without reliable access to care. Operating at least two times a week, the mobile clinic serves as many patients as possible with funding from grants and community partnerships including St. John’s Ministries.
Christopher Piepenburg, outreach case manager for the Northeast Wisconsin Community Clinic, emphasized that access to medical care is one of the most significant barriers the program addresses. He noted that the clinic has reached patients in critical situations, particularly uninsured individuals without access to medical care. “I can think of a few times where people who did not have insurance did not have medical access to medical care, and we were available to support them and were able to save lives,” Piepenburg stated. He added that without the clinic’s intervention, some patients “probably would have died on the streets.”
Tony Schneider, director of community engagement at St. John’s Ministries, said the clinic serves both returning and first-time patients. For many individuals served, the mobile unit provides their first proper medical attention in years or sometimes in their entire lives. The clinic accepts most insurances and has a sliding payment scale for uninsured patients.
Kristen Gardon, a nurse practitioner with the clinic, described the mobile unit as an entry point to the healthcare system designed to connect patients with ongoing care. The clinic aims to help patients focus on wellness and preventative care rather than only addressing acute illness. Gardon stated that the program ensures people can establish ongoing relationships with healthcare providers and continue to receive preventative care.
This article is an AI-assisted summary. All facts and figures are drawn from the original report: https://www.wbay.com/2026/03/05/mobile-clinic-brings-health-care-underserved-communities-northeast-wisconsin/