As children across the Garden State settled into the new academic year, a collaborative health effort made sure they did so with a clean bill of health. RWJBarnabas Health, in partnership with the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH), announced the successful wrap-up of its “Stay Well, Learn Well” back-to-school initiative, which brought vital pediatric care directly into local communities.
Carried out through a series of regional vaccination clinics and mobile health units across Essex and Union counties throughout August and September, the initiative successfully connected 154 children to critical vaccinations and preventive resources.
The collaborative outreach addressed common barriers to healthcare access, providing essential services directly to families ahead of the school rush. Key achievements from the clinics include:
- 107 children receiving complete school physicals.
- 144 childhood vaccinations administered by specialized providers.
- 61 families connected directly with ongoing healthcare referrals.
- Dozens of additional households linked to vital community support networks.
“Every physical we conducted, every childhood vaccine we delivered and every connection we have made to promote a child’s long-term health is vital to ensuring every kid can stay well and learn well,” Mark Manigan, president and CEO of RWJBarnabas Health, said. He expressed gratitude to state leaders, including Gov. Mikie Sherrill and Health Commissioner Raynard Washington, alongside county and local partners for giving students a healthy start.
Beyond routine immunizations and physicals, the clinics served as a holistic resource hub. Families had access to Community Health Workers, SNAP Navigators providing nutrition assistance, transportation support for eligible households, appointment-scheduling assistance from county health officials, and lunch box giveaways for the students.
Health Commissioner Washington emphasized that the initiative targets the root of public health equity. “Partnering with RWJBarnabas Health and others reflects our shared goal of removing barriers to care and making it easier for families to access vaccinations and other preventive healthcare services so every child enters the classroom healthy and ready to succeed,” he said.
The Essex and Union County events expand upon RWJBarnabas Health’s broader Our Healthy Communities framework, which tackles social determinants of health through innovative local programming.
