Julie and Steven Silbermann, of the Rosanne H. Silbermann Foundation (photo taken before the COVID-19 pandemic)
RWJBarnabas Health, the largest academic health care system in New Jersey, has received a $100,000 grant in support of its COVID vaccination efforts from the Rosanne H. Silbermann Foundation, a private family foundation established in honor of Rosanne H. Silbermann (1924-2009) and maintained in her memory.
“RWJBarnabas Health is extremely grateful to the Rosanne H. Silbermann Foundation for their generous support of our efforts to provide life-saving vaccines to as many people as possible throughout the state of New Jersey,” said Barry H. Ostrowsky, President and Chief Executive Officer of RWJBarnabas Health. “We are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel from this devastating pandemic and look ahead to moving forward together.”
The funds are primarily being used for the transportation of individuals to receive the vaccine, the creation of efficient COVID clinic operations and the infrastructure supporting these efforts.
“Nothing exemplifies the Foundation’s mission more than being able to help the community in which we live to begin to overcome this unprecedented COVID pandemic,” said Steven and Julie Silbermann, who are residents of Livingston, NJ.
RWJBarnabas Health educates the community on the safety, efficacy and importance of COVID vaccines and administers vaccines on several fronts. As a leader in the delivery of quality and efficient health care, the system was chosen by the State of New Jersey to lead one of the state’s six vaccine mega-sites—the Middlesex County Regional COVID-19 Vaccine Mega-site at the New Jersey Convention & Exposition Center in Edison. Additionally, system facilities operate vaccine clinics in-house and support selected sites in several counties. The grant from the Silbermann Foundation helps support an uninterrupted flow of immunizations.
The mission of the Rosanne H. Silbermann Foundation is to make a profound difference in medical, educational and religious organizations. Founded under the adage, “When you can, you must,” this tight-knit family honors the philosophy of community support that was deeply instilled by Rosanne and Joachim Silbermann.
To support RWJBarnabas Health’s efforts with COVID-19, medical care, education and/or community and social determinants of health initiatives—such as employment and education opportunities, neighborhood and housing safety and access to healthy foods, medical care, transportation, technology and social networks—visit www.rwjbh.org/give.
About RWJBarnabas Health
RWJBarnabas Health is the largest, most comprehensive academic health care system in New Jersey with a service area covering nine counties with five million people. The system includes eleven acute care hospitals – Clara Maass Medical Center in Belleville, Community Medical Center in Toms River, Jersey City Medical Center in Jersey City, Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch, Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus in Lakewood, Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in Newark, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset in Somerville, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital at Hamilton in Hamilton, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Rahway in Rahway and Saint Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, three acute care children’s hospitals and a leading pediatric rehabilitation hospital with a network of outpatient centers, a freestanding 100-bed behavioral health center, two trauma centers, a satellite emergency department, ambulatory care centers, geriatric centers, the state’s largest behavioral health network, comprehensive home care and hospice programs, fitness and wellness centers, retail pharmacy services, affiliated medical groups, multi-site imaging centers and an accountable care organization.
RWJBH is New Jersey’s largest private employer – with more than 35,000 employees, 9,000 physicians and 1,000 residents and interns – and routinely captures national awards for outstanding quality and safety. RWJBH, in partnership with Rutgers University, are creating New Jersey’s largest academic health care system. The collaboration aligns RWJBH with Rutgers’ education, research and clinical activities, including those at the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey – the state's only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center – and Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care.