Part of ‘Our Healthy Newark’ initiative to improve health outcomes in vulnerable populations
NEWARK, NJ, February 9, 2024 – RWJBarnabas Health and Saint James Health recently held a ribbon cutting ceremony for two new joint programs–a new Retail Pharmacy and The Food “Farmacy”—to help address issues of health equity, access to care, and health outcomes in the City of Newark. Both programs serve patients of Saint James Health Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) at 228 Lafayette Street, Newark, New Jersey, in the Ironbound section of the city.
The on-site retail pharmacy provides 340b discounted medication and education to patients and allows patients to pick up prescriptions at the time of their appointment, improving affordability of and access to vital medication. This model also improves quality of care by facilitating close, direct access of Saint James doctors, nurse practitioners and pharmacists as they collaborate as a clinical care team.
“A thriving community’s foundation lies in the health and well-being of its residents,” said Nicole Fields, President and Chief Executive Officer, Saint James Health. “We have big plans to deliver health care in a collaborative way that improves the health of the patient and their day-to-day lives. We want there to be a noticeable impact on the access to health care, prescriptions, healthy food, and truly create a healthier Newark.”
The Food “Farmacy” is a healthy food pantry offering fresh produce, refrigerated food and shelf-stable food to improve access to healthy food in a geographic area identified as a food desert. As part of the program, a registered dietician provides nutrition counseling, culturally relevant, healthy recipes, and education to help participants learn how to cook and eat healthfully to improve chronic conditions and to understand why healthy eating is important for overall health and well-being. The Community Food Bank of New Jersey supports this effort as an agency partner of RWJBarnabas Health and Saint James health to enhance the supply of shelf stable products available to patients at the Food “Farmacy.”
“As New Jersey’s largest academic health care system and the largest provider of charity care and care to the beneficiaries of the Medicaid program, we know the importance of ensuring people have access to healthy food and affordable medications when they are sick or are dealing with chronic illness,” said Mark E. Manigan, President and Chief Executive Officer, RWJBarnabas Health. “Through our work here, we have the opportunity to provide that healthy food to help the people of Newark prevent or manage chronic diseases and conditions and we will be able to ensure they have affordable access to the medicine they need to get better, feel better and stay well.”
The 340b retail pharmacy and Food “Farmacy” were created in partnership between RWJBarnabas Health and Saint James Health FQHC through funds from the Our Healthy Newark grant, a $25 million appropriation from the State of New Jersey that will link a core group of federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) to hospital electronic medical records systems, embed community health workers to help patients navigate care, recruit medical specialists who will expand care provided at local clinics and address community social determinants of health on-site or close-by. This collaboration between RWJBarnabas Health and Saint James Health is a pilot for this ongoing work and demonstrates the positive impact that providing care and resources close to home can have on health outcomes.
“You can actually help people live longer lives if you give them access to food, because food is medicine. You give access to a primary care physician, access to housing or access to a healthier environment, it will actually add years to your life,” said Newark Mayor Ras Baraka. “Families and kids can come here for primary care physicians because that is number one. Number two, they can come here to get medicine, and then go upstairs and get some food. That’s the trifecta and it’s incredible.
“You get diagnosed; you get your prescription. There is no excuse to not take your meds or get better,” State Senator Teresa Ruiz said. “Accessibility to fresh food, making sure there is access to health care, affordability in medicines – this is a one-stop-shop to make sure Newark residents can thrive.”
The joint initiative is part of a broader effort by RWJBarnabas Health to address health equity and social determinants that impact health outcomes, including access to transportation, primary care facilities, safe housing, affordable medications, health foods and other socio-economic factors.
Also in attendance: Assemblywoman Eliana Pintor Marin, Assembly Budget Chair; Newark City Council President LaMonica McIver; Newark Councilmembers Michael Silva, C. Lawrence Crump, and Louise Scott-Rountree; Darrell K. Terry, Sr., President and Chief Executive Officer, Newark Beth Israel Medical Center; Elizabeth McCarthy, President, Community Food Bank of New Jersey; and Balpreet Grewal-Virk, Senior Vice President, Community Health, RWJBarnabas Health.
RWJBarnabas Health and Saint James Health FQHC are joined by city and state officials to cut the ribbon on a new discount retail pharmacy and food “Farmacy” serving vulnerable populations in Newark.
[(l-r) Newark Councilman Michael Silva; Ketlen Alsbrook, Director, Newark Department of Health; Assemblywoman Eliana Pintor Marin; Saint James Health FQHC Chief Operating Officer Raul Malave III; Newark Councilwoman Louise Scott-Rountree, Newark Councilman Larry Crump; Balpreet Grewal-Virk, Senior Vice President, Community Health, RWJBarnabas Health; Darrell K. Terry, Sr., President and Chief Executive Officer, Newark Beth Israel Medical Center; Saint James Health President and Chief Executive Officer Nicole Fields; Elizabeth McCarthy, President, Community Food Bank of New Jersey; Newark Mayor Ras Baraka; Newark Council President LaMonica Mciver; State Senator Teresa Ruiz; RWJBarnabas Health President and Chief Executive Officer Mark E. Manigan]
RWJBarnabas Health and Saint James Health FQHC celebrate the opening of the new food “Farmacy” to provide Newark residents with healthy foods and nutrition assistance.
[(l-r) Balpreet Grewal-Virk, Senior Vice President, Community Health, RWJBarnabas Health; RWJBarnabas Health President and Chief Executive Officer Mark E. Manigan; Saint James Health President and Chief Executive Officer Nicole Fields; Darrell K. Terry, Sr., President and Chief Executive Officer, Newark Beth Israel Medical Center; Barbara Mintz, RD, Senior Vice President for Social Impact and Community Investment, RWJBarnabas Health]
New 340b discount retail pharmacy at Saint James Health FQHC.
New Food “Farmacy” providing Saint James Health FQHC patients healthy foods and nutrition assistance.
About RWJBarnabas Health
RWJBarnabas Health is the largest, most comprehensive academic health care system in New Jersey, with a service area covering eight counties with five million people. The system includes twelve acute care hospitals – Clara Maass Medical Center in Belleville, Community Medical Center in Toms River, Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, 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 Hamilton in Hamilton, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Rahway in Rahway and Trinitas Regional Medical Center in Elizabeth, three acute care children’s hospitals, Children’s Specialized Hospital with a network of outpatient pediatric rehabilitation 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 two accountable care organizations.
RWJBarnabas Health is among New Jersey’s largest private employers – with more than 38,000 employees and 9,000 physicians– and routinely captures national awards for outstanding quality and safety. RWJBarnabas Health launched an affiliation with Rutgers University to create New Jersey’s largest academic health care system. The collaboration aligns RWJBarnabas Health 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. For more information, visit www.RWJBH.org.
About Saint James Health
Saint James Health, Inc. (SJH) is a non-profit organization that has been committed to bringing premier healthcare services to the Newark metropolitan area since 2016. As a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), Saint James Health is committed to treating every person that visits its centers, regardless of their ability to pay. The organization operates community health centers in the East, West and South Wards of Newark, New Jersey and provides comprehensive primary health and preventive services in a comfortable and accommodating setting to the members of the communities it serves. The organization’s services are focused on patients and coordinated by an exceptional wellness team to ensure that every healthcare need is addressed comprehensively and compassionately for everyone.
Contact: Carrie.Cristello@RWJBH.org