RWJBarnabas Health recently announced a series of major strategic investments aimed at improving maternal health outcomes and closing care gaps for new and expectant mothers in New Jersey’s underserved communities.
Backed by state appropriations and the health system’s “Our Healthy Communities” initiative, the funding aims to combat rising maternal mortality rates, reduce preventable labor complications, and address the social determinants of health that impact families during pregnancy and the postpartum period.
A cornerstone of the expansion is the health system’s Community Health Worker (CHW) Program. The funding allows RWJBarnabas Health to deploy dedicated health workers to connect new mothers with vital medical and social resources for a minimum of 120 days after giving birth.
“At RWJBarnabas Health, we know maternal health begins in the community,” Balpreet Grewal-Virk, senior vice president of Community Health, said. “That’s why we continue to invest in programs outside the walls of our hospitals to support mothers and families beyond clinical care.”
The holistic initiative targets maternal wellness from four distinct angles outside traditional hospital settings:
- Food and Nutrition: Through a network of “Food Farmacies”—which distributed more than 330,000 pounds of food in 2025 alone—mothers receive fresh produce, recipes, nutrition education, and diapers. The system also recently opened Harvest: Farm to Community Center, a dedicated nutrition and wellness hub.
- Financial Support: RWJBarnabas Health committed $2 million to launch the Bridge Project in New Jersey. The program provides up to $20,000 in unconditional direct cash assistance over three years to low-income mothers to promote household stability.
- Housing: In partnership with The Center for Great Expectations, the system is actively addressing housing insecurity for pregnant women experiencing homelessness and substance use disorders.
- Expanded Clinical Access: The system has partnered with more than a dozen Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) statewide to bring primary care and OB/GYN services directly into local neighborhoods.
Supported by New Jersey state resources, RWJBarnabas Health has reinvested more than $151 million into community health initiatives that stretch beyond standard medical treatments. By collaborating with local civic leaders, healthcare providers, clergy, and community organizations, the system is attempting to build a more resilient social infrastructure.
| Key Program Highlights | Impact & Scope |
| The Bridge Project | Up to $20,000 in direct cash assistance for low-income mothers |
| Food Farmacies Network | Over 330,000 lbs of healthy food distributed in 2025 |
| Statewide Reinvestment | More than $151 million dedicated to social determinants of health |
The announcement coincides with Maternal Health Awareness Month, a period dedicated to examining equity and quality in obstetric care.
“Improving maternal health outcomes requires a comprehensive approach that integrates high-quality clinical care with strong community-based support,” Suzanne Spernal, senior vice president of Women’s Health at RWJBarnabas Health, said. “By advancing both our clinical services and community partnerships, we are working to reduce disparities, prevent complications, and give every family the healthiest possible start.”
