The Family Van

The Family Van The Family Van is a mobile health clinic, providing free health screenings, referrals and counseling to Boston's underserved communities. Nearly half were men.

We serve communities with disproportionately high rates of preventable diseases and hospitalization, and our convenient curbside care provides a bridge into the health and social services. Family Van staff include health educators, a registered dietician, and counselors, who, in addition to health screenings, offer oral and written information to encourage clients to improve their health and follo

w healthy lifestyles. Education on risks, warning signs, nutrition, and self-care is vital to our clients, and we are often their sole provider of information. Clients receive the support and resources they need to improve their health and well-being in an atmosphere of warmth and caring. The Van is affiliated with Harvard Medical School and collaborates with a wide network of partners, volunteers, and supporters. A pioneer in the growing trend of mobile health care, the Family Van has been serving Boston residents since 1992. The Family Van staff also provide medical and allied health students with firsthand, practical experience to train the next generation of health care providers. The Family Van is on the road each week, making stops in six regular locations. In 2010, we served 2,322 clients and 1,375 new clients. In addition:

87% were minorities, and 37% did not speak English as their primary language. Only 24% worked full time; 31% were unemployed, 22% were retired, 16% worked part-time, and 6% were on disability. Clients included both uninsured (8%) and insured (66% public, 26% private) individuals.

Eight weeks went by way too fast. 🥹 Last week, we wrapped up our Summer Internship, and we’re already missing this incre...
08/21/2026

Eight weeks went by way too fast. 🥹 Last week, we wrapped up our Summer Internship, and we’re already missing this incredible group!

Over eight weeks, our interns got a real look at what it takes to bring healthcare into the community.

And it truly took a community to make this experience possible. A special thank you to everyone who shared their time, knowledge, and encouragement with our interns:

❤️ Our Harvard Medical School faculty and mentors: Nancy Oriol, Daniel Palazuelos, MD, MPH, Aditi Nerurkar, MD, MPH, and Julie Joyal

❤️ The team at HMS MEDscience Program

❤️ Christine G. Sinclair, MA, MS, RD, LDN, Stop & Shop Grove Hall

❤️ William "Bill" DeSimone, Harvard Medical School

❤️ Allison Levin, Career Wave Coaching

❤️ The BeHERE team at Health Resources in Action (HRiA)

❤️ Meredith Tierney and the team at Sanofi US

❤️ Our amazing volunteers Karoline Sanchez Valdes, Tyler Allerhand, Alex Proksch, and our former HMS clerkship student Yoseph Boku

And, of course, our incredible Community Health Workers, with special thanks to Simone deOliveira for leading our Summer Internship Program and helping make the summer possible every step of the way.

THANK YOU! ❤️

🎥 What happens when you bring healthcare to the communities you grew up in?Yesterday, Mike Sullivan from WBZ / CBS News ...
08/14/2026

🎥 What happens when you bring healthcare to the communities you grew up in?

Yesterday, Mike Sullivan from WBZ / CBS News Boston stopped by The Family Van to talk with two of our amazing summer interns, Salroh Abdol and William Bishop, about what it means to bring healthcare directly into the communities they call home.

Both Salroh and William are from Dorchester, one of the neighborhoods where The Family Van has been part of the community for more than three decades.

For the past 8 weeks, our interns have been an important part of our mobile clinic team, helping us meet the increased demand we see during the summer while gaining firsthand experience breaking down barriers to care in Boston neighborhoods.

Today is their last day, and we couldn’t be prouder of all they’ve brought to The Family Van this summer. ❤️

Want to see Salroh and William in action? Watch the WBZ story! 👇

🎥 https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/video/the-family-van-provides-free-health-screenings-in-boston-neighborhoods/

We’re excited to share that The Family Van is now a Community Partner of Hope & Comfort Hygiene Hub! 🎉Through this new p...
08/13/2026

We’re excited to share that The Family Van is now a Community Partner of Hope & Comfort Hygiene Hub! 🎉

Through this new partnership, we’re able to provide hygiene kits to our neighbors, helping ensure people have access to the everyday essentials we all need to feel healthy, confident, and cared for.

And the need is real: Did you know that 1 in 3 Massachusetts residents experience hygiene insecurity?

That’s why partnerships like this matter. ❤️

A huge thank you to Hope & Comfort for helping us put essential hygiene products directly into the hands of our Boston neighbors!

This year, we received a record-breaking number of volunteer applications for The Family Van. Our team has been hard at ...
08/12/2026

This year, we received a record-breaking number of volunteer applications for The Family Van. Our team has been hard at work carefully reviewing each and every application.

❤️ If you applied, thank you for your patience while we work through the process. We know you’re eager to hear from us, and we’ll be in touch with next steps soon. ❤️

Your interest in volunteering with The Family Van means the world to us. Thank you for wanting to share your time, energy, and heart with our community. 🚌❤️

Yesterday, we were grateful to welcome Tom Bendheim from The Leon Lowenstein Foundation, Inc., a longtime supporter of o...
08/07/2026

Yesterday, we were grateful to welcome Tom Bendheim from The Leon Lowenstein Foundation, Inc., a longtime supporter of our national work at Mobile Health Map.

Seeing our work in action is one of the most powerful ways to understand the impact of mobile healthcare. Tom joined us as we brought care directly into the community, first at Berea Church Food Pantry and then on the sidewalk in Codman Square.

Two very different settings, but the same mission: showing up where people are and making health resources more accessible.

Thank you, Tom, and The Leon Lowenstein Foundation, for believing in the power of mobile health and helping advance this work across the country.

Yesterday, we were thrilled to welcome the newest class of Harvard Medical School students to The Family Van for Intro t...
08/07/2026

Yesterday, we were thrilled to welcome the newest class of Harvard Medical School students to The Family Van for Intro to the Profession Day.

Each year, first-year medical students step beyond the classroom to explore Boston communities, learn from local organizations, and experience firsthand how trust, connection, and community-based care shape better health outcomes.

Our team shared stories from the Van, answered thoughtful questions, and sparked meaningful conversations about what it means to meet people where they are and build relationships that last.

We hope this visit is just the beginning of their connection with The Family Van — and we look forward to welcoming them back as they continue their journey in medicine!

One of the highlights of our Summer Internship Program is always a visit to Sanofi US!Today, our interns had the opportu...
08/04/2026

One of the highlights of our Summer Internship Program is always a visit to Sanofi US!

Today, our interns had the opportunity to learn how Sanofi teams are helping patients overcome barriers to accessing the care and medications they need. They also heard firsthand from professionals whose unique career paths reminded them that there is no one path into healthcare — just a shared passion for making a difference.

A heartfelt thank you to Meredith Tierney and the entire Sanofi team — especially Suzanne Stone, Tia Smith, Jessica Gerteisen, and Zachary Upson — for sharing your time, your stories, and your encouragement with our interns.

We're deeply grateful for Sanofi's longtime partnership and continued support of The Family Van. Together, we're investing in healthier communities and the next generation of health leaders. ❤️

Today we say goodbye to Ellie Enichen, our Harvard Medical School clerk, as she completes her month-long rotation with T...
07/31/2026

Today we say goodbye to Ellie Enichen, our Harvard Medical School clerk, as she completes her month-long rotation with The Family Van. ❤️

During her time with us, Ellie experienced firsthand what mobile health is all about: bringing care into communities, building trust, and creating new pathways to health.

One reflection that stood out was her realization that, for many people, The Family Van has become a trusted part of their routine — a place where they can access care, support, and connection close to home.

As Ellie shared, “I’ve never met anyone whose routine is ‘go to the doctor.’ But coming to the van has become part of people’s routines. I think that’s really special.”

We are grateful for the curiosity, compassion, and commitment Ellie brought to our team and our community. Thank you for being part of The Family Van family, Ellie. We know you will carry these lessons of trust, connection, and community-centered care throughout your journey in medicine. ❤️

One of our summer internship highlights! 🩺✨ Yesterday, our interns stepped into the world of HMS MEDscience Program, a H...
07/28/2026

One of our summer internship highlights! 🩺✨ Yesterday, our interns stepped into the world of HMS MEDscience Program, a Harvard Medical School program that brings healthcare education to life through immersive simulations.

Taking on the role of medical providers, they worked together to evaluate a simulated patient, follow the clues, and make a diagnosis: diabetes! A full-circle moment for interns who help provide blood sugar screenings every week on The Family Van.

A special thank you to Julie Joyal, Britt Stockton Lee, and Mia Silvestri for welcoming our interns, sharing their expertise, and inspiring them with stories about careers in healthcare.

We’re grateful to our sister program, co-founded by Dr. Nancy Oriol, for giving our interns the opportunity to learn, explore, and see what’s possible in healthcare. ❤️

Barbers are trusted voices, mentors, and pillars of their communities. The relationships built in the barbershop can cre...
07/27/2026

Barbers are trusted voices, mentors, and pillars of their communities. The relationships built in the barbershop can create opportunities for connection, support, and important health conversations.

We were honored to join the BarberTime Media Network Symposium to give back to the barbers who give so much. ❤️

Our team provided free blood pressure and blood sugar screenings, along with health education and resources.

Thank you to BarberTime Media Network and all the barbers making an impact far beyond the chair!

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200 Longwood Avenue
Boston, MA
02115

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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