Back Row: Paris Branda, MSW, LCADC, Assistant Director, RWJBarnabas Health Institute for Prevention and Recovery; Kate Beam, Manager, RWJBarnabas Health Institute for Prevention and Recovery; Michael Litterer, MPA, FHELA, CHES, CPS, Vice President, RWJBarnabas Health Institute for Prevention and Recovery; Diane Grillo, VP Health Promotion, RWJUH Hamilton; Lisa Breza, RN, MSN, NEA-BC, Chief Administrative Officer, RWJUH Hamilton; Connie Greene, Senior Vice President, RWJBarnabas Health Institute for Prevention and Recovery; Tammy E. Leigh, MSN, RN, Director of Emergency Services and ICU, RWJUH Hamilton; Seth Rosenbaum, MD, MMM, SVP & Chief Medical Officer, RWJUH Hamilton; Alexis Generals, Supervisor, RWJBarnabas Health Institute for Prevention and Recovery; and Shalanda Tudor, Manager, RWJBarnabas Health Institute for Prevention and Recovery
Middle Row: Gina Bucci, LCSW, Director, RWJBarnabas Health Institute for Prevention and Recovery; Kami Clothier, Supervisor, Emergency Services, RWJUH Hamilton
Front Row: Lou Mueller, Recovery Specialist, RWJBarnabas Health Institute for Prevention and Recovery; Boris Rorer, Supervisor, RWJBarnabas Health Institute for Prevention and Recovery; Juliet Tunstall-Weiner, Recovery Specialist, RWJBarnabas Health Institute for Prevention and Recovery; Mikalynn Miller, Recovery Specialist, RWJBarnabas Health Institute for Prevention and Recovery; and Louis Toval, Recovery Specialist, RWJBarnabas Health Institute for Prevention and Recovery
Eatontown, NJ, July 25, 2024 - The RWJBarnabas Health (RWJBH) Institute for Prevention and Recovery (IFPR) is excited to announce its Peer Recovery Program now provides 24/7 peer recovery support to patients at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH) Hamilton. As of the launch, IFPR’s Peer Recovery Program is operational in all RWJBH hospitals, ensuring all patients receive comprehensive, patient-centered peer recovery supports.
The goal of the Peer Recovery Program is to open a window to recovery. IFPR’s nationally certified peer recovery specialists, who are in recovery from substance use disorder, provide consultation and peer recovery support to patients. By meeting patients where they are, peer recovery specialists can offer support service options based on the patient’s unique needs. The Peer Recovery team—which includes patient navigators and case managers—works alongside medical staff as an important part of the care team, acting as an advocate and support to ensure patients receive compassionate and comprehensive care.
“We are thrilled to provide patients at RWJUH Hamilton 24/7 in-hospital peer recovery support through IFPR’s Peer Recovery Program,” said Connie Greene, Senior Vice President, RWJBarnabas Health Institute for Prevention and Recovery. “Recovery is a highly personal journey. Working from first-hand experience, our peer recovery specialists meet patients where they are to provide low-barrier, patient-centered recovery support. Together, our Peer Recovery team works with patients and clinical care teams to find the resources that work best for the individual patient.”
Additionally, the Peer Recovery Program’s patient-centered approach aligns with RWJUH Hamilton’s strategy for delivering exceptional patient care. “IFPR’s Peer Recovery Program is a welcome addition to our hospital and clinical care teams,” said Lisa Breza, RN, MSN, NEA-BC, Chief Administrative Officer, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton, “We strive to provide patients with the highest quality of care and improve the overall health of our communities. The Peer Recovery Program helps us deliver on this commitment, especially for some of our most vulnerable patients.”
Since its establishment in 2016, IFPR’s Peer Recovery Program has helped to save countless lives by providing low-barrier access to recovery support services for all patients who present with substance use in RWJBH hospitals. In 2023, IFPR’s Peer Recovery Program received its 100,000th patient referral. The program utilizes a compassionate, evidence-based approach to recovery support services and follows up with patients throughout their recovery journey. As part of this approach, IFPR also works to reduce the stigma associated with substance use by addressing substance use disorder as a medical condition.
The Peer Recovery Program serves all RWJBH hospitals, 24 hours a day, 7 days per week, with full-time, hospital-based peer recovery specialists.
For more information about the RWJBarnabas Health Institute for Prevention and Recovery, visit RWJBarnabas Health Institute for Prevention and Recovery or call 833-233-IFPR (4377).
About the Institute for Prevention and Recovery
IFPR is a leader in creating the systems and services necessary to improve the health of communities throughout New Jersey. For more than 30 years, IFPR has provided substance use disorder prevention programs, nicotine and tobacco treatment and innovative recovery support and social care services, taking a systems change approach to address social determinants of health and enhance care delivery systems throughout RWJBarnabas Health and New Jersey.
Media Contact
Jaimee Cali
Jaimee.cali@rwjbh.org