RWJBarnabas Health announced this week that it has invested nearly $50 million into Federally Qualified Health Centers to expand operations and access to care in underserved communities across New Jersey, timed to National Health Center Week.
The investment is part of the health system’s Our Healthy Communities initiative, supported by state appropriations, which aims to address social determinants of health and strengthen community-based health care infrastructure.
Balpreet Grewal-Virk, RWJBarnabas Health’s senior vice president of community health, said Federally Qualified Health Centers are among the most trusted partners in the communities they serve because they have built lasting relationships with residents and understand their unique needs.
“Working alongside organizations, our many FQHC partners throughout the state allows us to meet people where they are, remove barriers to care and improve health outcomes in meaningful ways,” she said.
Since 2024, RWJBarnabas Health has invested a total of $49,353,421 across eight independent FQHCs operating in five New Jersey counties. Here’s a look at the partnerships:
- Saint James Health (Essex County): Capital construction and expansion, community health workers, free rideshare transportation, referral infrastructure;
- Mary Eliza Mahoney / City of Newark Department of Health (Essex County): Electronic medical record integration, Food Farmacy, community health workers, free rideshare transportation;
- Zufall Health – West Orange (Essex County): Community health workers, free rideshare transportation, expanded women’s health services;
- Alliance Community Healthcare (Hudson County): Facility renovation, expanded clinical capacity;
- Metropolitan Family Health Network (Hudson County): Community health workers, free rideshare transportation, referral connectivity;
- North Hudson Community Action (Hudson and Bergen counties): Expanded services and resources, community health workers, free rideshare transportation;
- Eric B. Chandler Health Center (Middlesex County): Electronic medical record support, referral and data integration;
- Monmouth Family Health Center (Monmouth County): Medical equipment, supplies and modular-unit installation, community health workers, free rideshare transportation, provider recruitment support;
N.J. Health Commissioner Dr. Raynard Washington said community health centers turn the promise of good health into something within reach by delivering comprehensive, high-quality care every day. National Health Center Week runs Aug. 2-8.
Selina Haq, president and CEO of the New Jersey Primary Care Association, said FQHCs are more than health care providers.
“They are trusted community partners that deliver comprehensive, high-quality care regardless of a person’s ability to pay, while helping address the social and economic factors that shape health,” she said.
“We are also grateful for partners like RWJBarnabas Health, whose continued investment in and collaboration with community health centers is expanding access to care, strengthening the healthcare safety net, and improving health outcomes for families across New Jersey.”
Building on its existing partnership with Saint James Health — which includes a health clinic at Newark’s East Side High School and a retail pharmacy and Food Farmacy on Lafayette Street — RWJBarnabas Health is supporting two new Saint James locations in Newark, at 604 Market Street and 555 MLK Boulevard.
Nicole Fields, CEO of Saint James Health, said the organization was founded on the belief that everyone deserves compassionate, high-quality health care, regardless of their financial circumstances.
“Our partnership with RWJBarnabas Health helps us connect more residents with the care, services, and resources they need to lead healthier lives,” Fields said.
In June, RWJBarnabas Health announced an $854,000 investment in Monmouth Family Health Center in Long Branch to support facility upgrades and replace equipment including exam tables, vital sign monitors, ultrasound machines and computer equipment.
Paul McCloud, CEO of Monmouth Family Health Center, said the partnership with RWJBarnabas Health is helping make transformational upgrades to the center.
“That will benefit our patients and our providers alike,” he said.
RWJBarnabas Health is one of New Jersey’s two mega health systems, caring for more than five million people annually through 14 hospitals and more than 700 patient care locations.
