In a pioneering move to eliminate the health care barriers that often derail higher education, Brookdale Community College has announced a strategic partnership with the Ritesh Shah Charitable Pharmacy (RSCP).
The collaboration—the first of its kind in the state—is designed to provide Brookdale’s diverse student body with direct access to free life-saving medications, while simultaneously creating a new pipeline for experiential learning in the health care field.
The Ritesh Shah Charitable Pharmacy, located in Red Bank, holds the distinction of being the first and only charitable pharmacy in New Jersey. Founded in 2022 by Ritesh Shah, a prominent pharmacist recently named among the “50 Most Influential People in Pharmacy,” the institution was born from a personal tragedy.
In 2021, Shah lost his sister, Rena—also a pharmacist—to COVID-19 complications. Rena had struggled to access essential care while managing diabetes during the pandemic. In her honor, Shah established a pharmacy that operates entirely without a cash register, serving individuals at or below 300% of the federal poverty level. To date, the pharmacy has dispensed more than $2 million in prescriptions for chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and mental health.
For many community college students, the choice between paying for a textbook and paying for a monthly prescription is a reality. This partnership aims to solve that dilemma.
Through the agreement, eligible Brookdale students will gain access to:
- Maintenance Medications: Free prescriptions for chronic illness management.
- Medical Supplies: Essential equipment for daily health monitoring.
- Preventative Care: Access to vaccinations and wellness support.
“Partnerships like this reflect the very best of our mission in action,” David Stout, president of Brookdale Community College said. “By connecting our students with critical health care resources… we are not only supporting their academic success, but we are strengthening the health and well-being of our entire community.”
Beyond immediate healthcare delivery, the partnership serves as a vocational engine. Brookdale and RSCP are developing a curriculum for experiential learning, including:
- Clinical Internships: Hands-on roles for students in Brookdale’s nursing and health science programs.
- Educational Programming: On-campus workshops regarding medication affordability and health equity.
- Holistic Alignment: Collaborative efforts with Brookdale’s Caroline Huber Holistic Wellness Center.
“By reducing barriers to care, students can focus on their studies with one less concern during their college experience,” noted Shah, who was recently honored alongside his wife, Asha Shah, at the Brookdale Foundation Scholarship Bash.
