Brookdale Community College, VNA Health Group, and the VNACJ Community Health Center (VNACJ CHC) have formalized a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to address two critical regional needs: expanding student health care access and creating a talent pipeline for New Jersey’s strained health care workforce.
The partnership leverages the strengths of the three organizations to support the holistic success of students and staff.
Under the agreement, Brookdale students will gain direct access to primary and preventive health care services at VNACJ CHC facilities and the Caroline Huber Holistic Wellness Center. This is a crucial step toward tackling the national issue of uninsured college students, which disproportionately affects students of color.
The partnership ensures that students without a current healthcare provider can receive essential, person-centered care, backed by targeted outreach and navigation services.
“Too many students navigate college without reliable healthcare… This partnership takes those challenges head-on,” Christopher Rinn, president & CEO of VNA Health Group said.
Sarina Brady, CEO of VNACJ Community Health Center, emphasized the investment in community health: “Through this partnership, we’re investing in both the health of our community and the professionals who will care for it in the future.”
The collaboration is also designed to address New Jersey’s projected shortage of 24,000 nurses by 2036, the fourth largest in the nation.
The partnership provides experiential learning opportunities for Brookdale students in healthcare, including:
-
Hands-on workshops.
-
Virtual reality lab experiences.
-
Exposure to home health and public health practice.
Simultaneously, VNA Health Group and VNACJ CHC employees will receive tuition discounts and training opportunities at Brookdale.
Dr. David Stout, president of Brookdale Community College, highlighted the holistic approach: “By joining forces… we are building a healthier, more resilient community while creating educational and workforce opportunities that will benefit Monmouth County for years to come.”
The MOU reflects a shared commitment to improving health outcomes and supporting career readiness for both students and staff.
