Rutgers Health

10/01/2025

Officials with the Rutgers Institute for Health, Health Care Policy, and Aging Research have selected four research teams as the first recipients of its inaugural Data Core Pilot Grant Awards.

Each team will receive up to $35,000 to support projects that leverage IFH Data Core resources to advance health care and population health research.

“We’re thrilled to support these promising projects through the Data Core Pilot Grant Program,” says Daniel Horton, the faculty director of the IFH Data Core and a professor of pediatrics and epidemiology at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School - Piscataway and the Rutgers School of Public Health.

“These awards reflect our commitment to catalyzing data-driven research that addresses pressing health challenges and produces actionable insights.”

09/30/2025

A new study led by Rutgers researchers reveals critical insights into how Medicaid policies impact cancer screening rates across the U.S.

By analyzing state-level data, the team identified best practices that could help improve early detection and reduce disparities in cancer care. Their findings offer a roadmap for policymakers aiming to strengthen public health outcomes through smarter Medicaid strategies.

Discussing the importance of state and federal Medicaid funding, expert Anita Kinney said: “With the Affordable Care Act and the implementation of targeted cancer control actions, we’ve made great strides in downstaging cancer. Certain cancers can be detected early and removed, so the stage of diagnosis is such an important measure to reduce mortality.”

“But Screen NJ is already operating under a decreased budget, and if these Medicaid cuts hold, we're going to see more people diagnosed with later-stage cancer. They're going to need more expensive treatments, they’re going to have poorer outcomes, and it’s going to drive up costs of care to institutions, patients, families, social network members, the state and third-party payers. Later-stage cancer results in more suffering.”

Read the full Q&A to learn more: go.rutgers.edu/u56mzuaq

09/29/2025

Mid-September to late October is the optimal window for people to receive the updated vaccinations to protect against severe illness this fall and winter, says David Cennimo, an infectious disease expert at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School.

In this Q&A, Cennimo discusses what is known about the upcoming respiratory illness season and how to protect yourself:

Between Oct. 1, 2024, and May 17, an estimated 47 million to 82 million people contracted the flu, with hundreds of thousands hospitalized and 27,000 to 130,000 deaths, including 266 children — the highest number of pediatric deaths reported in any non-pandemic influenza season since the condit...

09/23/2025

Chancellor Brian Strom welcomed students and university leaders to SHI Stadium this past weekend as Rutgers Health proudly sponsored the Rutgers Football game. ⚔️🔴⚫

09/22/2025

A Rutgers Health pilot program is transforming how clinicians care for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Through a mix of virtual telementoring and realistic simulations – led by Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School - Piscataway and Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy – over 200 healthcare professionals across NJ gained critical skills in communication, patient education, and care coordination.

“The more often we engage in this dialogue and practice together, the more comfortable practitioners become providing care to this community and reducing complications,” says Les Barta, director of the Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy’s Simulation Technology Program.

A Rutgers Health program pairs telementoring with hands-on simulation to improve communication with this vulnerable community

09/15/2025

At this year’s white coat ceremony, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School formally welcomed 174 future physicians into the study of medicine. While the ceremony highlighted a collective milestone, each student brought their own story to the moment.

For Madison Goodwin, a first-year medical student interested in pursuing obstetrics and gynecology, the White Coat Ceremony held a special meaning. Her interest in medicine began in high school when she enrolled in a bioethics program, which introduced her to the ethical responsibilities of doctors. The experience inspired her commitment to advocate for patients in marginalized communities.

“As an underrepresented minority in medicine, wearing my white coat symbolizes my role in advocating for underrepresented and minority patients,” she said, “which motivates me to address health disparities by forming deep connections with the community NJMS serves.”

Learn more about the newest class of medical students: go.rutgers.edu/xbk509r8

09/12/2025

Congratulations to Kathy Bramwell, CFO of Rutgers Health, on being named to Becker’s Hospital Review’s list of 78 Academic Medical Center CFOs to Know in 2025!

This recognition highlights Bramwell’s leadership and financial stewardship in advancing Rutgers Health’s mission to improve health, education, and research across New Jersey and beyond.

09/09/2025

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Leslie Lenert, a nationally recognized expert in biomedical informatics, as the inaugural director of the Center for Biomedical Informatics and Health Artificial Intelligence, part of the Rutgers Institute for Health, Health Care Policy, and Aging Research.

Lenert brings extensive experience in information technology, AI, health policy and public health administration, and will also serve as a professor at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.

09/02/2025

This month, the Rutgers Health Food Pantry celebrates four years of serving the Rutgers Health community. Since opening in 2021, the pantry has worked to reduce food insecurity by providing students with consistent access to nutritious food, personal care items, and essential resources. With the support of volunteers, donors, and campus partners, we’ve grown our impact through mobile events, cooking demos, and wellness initiatives—ensuring students feel supported both in and out of the classroom.

To date, the pantry has distributed over 400,000 pounds of food and welcomed over 27,000 client visits, reflecting the deep and growing need for these services.

We’re excited to mark this milestone with a 4-Year Anniversary Celebration on September 30th from 12–3 PM at the Medical School Outdoor Plaza and invite the Rutgers Health community to join us in honoring the collective effort that makes this work possible.

08/29/2025

Congratulations! 👏👏👏

08/27/2025

The Rutgers Brain Health Institute recently welcomed Rutgers University President William Tate and Rutgers Health Chancellor Brian Strom to the Center for Advanced Human Brain Imaging Research located on Busch campus in Piscataway.

BHI Director Dr. Gary Aston-Jones' presentation highlighted how BHI, one of the largest neuroscience institutes in the world, has fostered the growth of cutting-edge research at Rutgers over the last ten years, advancing brain health through innovative basic, translational and clinical research.

President Tate also toured CAHBIR’s human brain imaging research core facility, which houses new 3T MRI, EEG and TMS equipment. The state-of-the-art facility supports research of human brain function, structure, and disorders.

Learn more about the BHI: go.rutgers.edu/rubhi

08/25/2025

Congratulations to Chancellor Brian Strom who has been named “Educator of the Year” by the Research & Development Council of NJ for his transformative impact on medical education in the state.

Read more: go.rutgers.edu/yr5dp4ah