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Dear Rutgers Health Community,
Welcome to the December issue of the Rutgers Health Hub newsletter, where we celebrate “the Rutgers Health experience”—a showcase of the extraordinary work and remarkable individuals who make our community thrive.
In this issue, we honor the recipients of the 2024 Rutgers Health Chancellor’s Awards. Their contributions exemplify the very best of our community and remind us of the profound impact we have on health care, research, community work, and education. Additionally, we highlight another important celebration this fall - the New Jersey Alliance for Clinical and Translational Science (NJ ACTS) and its transformative $47.5 million grant, a testament to our collective commitment to improving health for New Jersey residents.
At the heart of this experience are the people of Rutgers Health—our faculty, staff, and learners—who bring talent, passion, and innovation to every aspect of our work. I hope you feel a sense of pride as you learn more about some of the many great individuals who make up our community. Thank you for making Rutgers Health a place where excellence and collaboration flourish.
Warm regards,
Brian L. Strom, M.D., M.P.H.
Chancellor, Rutgers Health
Executive Vice President for Health Affairs, Rutgers University
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Shawna Hudson: Advancing Health Equity with Purpose and Passion | |
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Shawna Hudson, vice chancellor for dissemination and implementation science for Rutgers Health and senior associate dean for population health research at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, has built a career shaped by curiosity and dedication to improving health care for underserved communities. A family medicine expert and researcher, Hudson's work often focuses on bridging the gap between research and real-world application, ensuring that health policies benefit those who need them most. Recently, Hudson’s impact and commitment were recognized by her election to the National Academy of Medicine, an honor celebrating her significant contributions to the field.
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New Center for Biomedical Informatics and Health AI
Rutgers Health announced the establishment of the Center for Biomedical Informatics and Health AI (BMIHAI), a groundbreaking initiative advancing data-driven solutions in health care and biomedical research. This center will serve as a hub for innovation, leveraging artificial intelligence to improve patient outcomes, and shape the future of health care delivery.
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New Patient Bill of Rights
At Rutgers Health, our goal is to provide the highest quality care while fostering a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment for patients, health care professionals, and staff. The new Rutgers Health Patient Rights and Responsibilities Standard was developed through the collaborative work of the Clinical Affairs Workgroup. This document serves as an important step toward promoting clear communication, equitable access, and quality care.
Clinical areas at Rutgers Health are encouraged to share and post this document in patient care areas.
See Other Patient Policies Here
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Advancing Cancer Research and Care
The career of Steven Libutti, director, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, exemplifies a passion for cancer research and patient care. A surgical oncologist, Libutti has led pioneering studies in cancer genetics and therapies, striving to advance understanding and treatment. Recently, he was named the inaugural William N. Hait Director at the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, honoring his impactful contributions to oncology.
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Jack Hemphill manages operations for the Office of Population Health within the Rutgers Health Office of Clinical Affairs and Health Affairs and serves as associate program manager for the Office of Clinical Affairs. He directs the Rutgers Health Service Corps (RHSC), a program launched in 2024 that connects students, faculty, and staff with service-learning opportunities to advance community health and equity.
Hemphill holds a Bachelor of Arts in Middle Eastern Studies and a Master of Health Administration from Rutgers and is active in leadership roles with the Rutgers MHA Alumni Association and the American College of Healthcare Executives NJ Chapter. A language enthusiast, he has studied Spanish, French, and Arabic.
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Amy Rockman is the director of the Artificial Intelligence Center of Excellence for Rutgers Health and RWJBarnabas Health and leads a Data Analytics team in the Office of Clinical Affairs and Health Affairs. With a master’s in Data Science and Epidemiology from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Rockman develops cutting-edge AI models to predict patient outcomes and support clinical decisions.
She co-chairs Rutgers’ Clinical AI Working Group, facilitates the AI Executive Committee, and serves as a national Technical Advisor for AI safety initiatives with the American Hospital Association. Rockman is also pursuing a PhD in Computational Integrative Biology to advance AI’s role in medicine.
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Future Rutgers School of Medicine Releases Mission, Vision and Values Statement Focused on Advancing Health Equity
Leaders of the future Rutgers School of Medicine (RSOM) have released a new mission, vision and values statement that underscores an emphasis on advancing health equity. The statements were developed in close consultation with faculty, staff, students, and leadership of both schools.
Mission: We develop physicians and scientists to advance health through compassionate care, innovative research, and transformative education, fostering health equity and engagement across diverse communities.
Vision: To be a national leader in academic medicine and health equity by reimagining medical education, discovery, patient care, and service to the community to improve outcomes for all.
Values: Excellence, integrity, dignity, kindness, collaboration, equity, diversity, and belonging.
Learn More
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Community Health and Engagement | |
Through disease screenings, health education, and overdose prevention programs, Rutgers Health Service Corps has reached thousands of residents in our communities. By helping our neighbors, Rutgers is addressing health inequities and preparing the next generation of health care and public health heroes. | |
Rutgers Health Partners with Law Enforcement to Expand Mental Health Crisis Response (ARRIVE Program)
New Jersey is the first state in the nation to have a statewide law enforcement and mental health alternative response program. ARRIVE Together, or Alternative Responses to Reduce Instance of Violence and Escalation, is run by University Behavioral Health Care (UBHC) at Rutgers Health. The program connects police personnel trained in crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques with a certified mental health screener and crisis specialist to respond to 911 calls involving behavioral health incidents.
Learn More
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(Above) Rutgers New Jersey Medical students — aka the Bergen Barbers — Ivan Loncar, Shivani Srivastava, Hetal Lad, and Sowntharya Ayyappan outside University Hospital in Newark.
“It’s rewarding to feel that I contributed to the medical team and served my community with skills I learned on my own,” says Ravikumar, who is now an OBGYN Intern at the University of Arizona. “I’m excited to continue our work and see our reach expand.”
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Improving Patient Outcomes with Grooming Services
Vaishali Ravikumar is a recent New Jersey Medical School (NJMS) graduate and Rutgers Health trailblazer who created and launched the Bergen Barbers program in 2021. The program was created to improve hospitalized patients' outlook by providing haircutting and shaving services.
Current NJMS students continue to be active in the program and are making plans to expand their skills and arsenal of tools.
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Checking In On Veterans This Holiday Season
The holidays can be stressful, especially for veterans and service members. The Vets4Warriors program offers confidential peer support from trained veterans to service members, veterans, and their families, available 24/7. Another program, the Buddy Checks initiative, encourages veterans to connect with one another, and foster a strong community of mutual support.
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Rutgers Health Hackathon
Diverse teams of healthcare professionals, engineers, designers, developers, and business experts came together to tackle some of the toughest issues in healthcare today.
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Suicide Prevention Month Events and Community 5K
Rutgers Health faculty, staff, and learners joined us throughout September for a variety of in-person and virtual events and activities designed to promote awareness, education, and community support. Highlights included discussion panels and workshops featuring open conversations about mental health and suicide prevention, as well as training sessions on how to recognize warning signs and provide support to those in need, and a special community 5K run/walk on Cook Campus to show support and spread awareness.
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NJ ACTS Celebration
In October, Rutgers Health celebrated a $47.5 Million and growing grant to improve health in New Jersey with Governor Phil Murphy, legislators, RWJBarnabas Health leadership, and members of the community.
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2024 Rutgers Health Chancellor's Awards
Also in October, we celebrated the outstanding individuals recognized at the 2024 Rutgers Health Chancellor's Awards. These honorees exemplify dedication, innovation, and leadership across Rutgers Health, helping to elevate the quality of patient care, research, and education. Join us in congratulating this year's recipients.
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Rutgers Health in the News | |
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Take a moment and let us know what type of content you'd like to see in future issues of the Rutgers Health Hub newsletter.
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