AtlantiCare and Stockton University, focused on a shared mission to align education, clinical care and workforce development, have created the Stockton-AtlantiCare College of Community Health in Atlantic City, the organizations announced.
AtlantiCare has committed an initial amount of $15 million to Stockton in support of academic programming, workforce initiatives and other efforts to prepare more health care professionals and open new doors for students and working adults.
AtlantiCare CEO Michael Charlton said the vision of the alliance meets the mission of the organization.
“This is a proud moment for AtlantiCare because it reflects the work we are doing to build a stronger healthcare future,” he said. “That future depends on people, and we have a responsibility to help prepare the workforce this region will need.” The announcement comes days after AtlantiCare and Temple University’s Lewis Katz School of Medicine announced an agreement to establish a new regional campus in Atlantic City – another move designed to help address physician pipeline challenges in southeastern New Jersey and within the AtlantiCare health system. https://binje.com/health-care/atlanticare-to-launch-regional-campus-of-temple-medical-school-in-2029/
Here’s how the Stockton-AtlantiCare College of Community Health will work.
The initiative will support the expansion of Stockton’s existing programs in nursing, health sciences, social work and public health, while creating opportunities to develop new undergraduate and graduate programs aligned with regional needs.
Respiratory therapy, a field where trained professionals are in high demand, is expected to be among the first programs launched through the alliance.
Potential areas for growth include:
- physician assistant studies;
- nursing;
- radiology technology;
- medical laboratory science;
- rehabilitation therapies;
- behavioral health;
- speech language therapy;
- health leadership;
- other allied health fields.
The organizations said the alliance is designed to create a clearer bridge from classroom learning to clinical experience and employment, while supporting career advancement for working health care professionals, including AtlantiCare employees.
Joint initiatives may include curriculum development, clinical education, professional training, data analytics and shared academic resources.
Charlton said it’s a win-win.
“Through this alliance with Stockton University, we can help more students and professionals learn here, train here and build careers here, strengthening the communities they call home,” he said. “When education and care are connected, we strengthen the workforce, improve access for patients and support the long-term health of this region.”
Stockton University President Joe Bertolino agreed.
“This strategic alliance represents the very best of Stockton’s mission in action — expanding opportunity, strengthening our communities and preparing the next generation of leaders in critical fields.
“By partnering with AtlantiCare to establish the Stockton-AtlantiCare College of Community Health, we are creating a powerful model that connects education directly to workforce needs. Together, we are opening new pathways for our students and for working professionals to learn, train and serve right here in our region, while advancing health outcomes and economic vitality across southeastern New Jersey.”
