Rutgers Health

11/24/2025

Rutgers Health recently celebrated 40 years of research impact at the Rutgers Institute for Health, Health Care Policy, and Aging Research. Through interdisciplinary studies, strategic partnerships across the University and a focus on addressing population health challenges, the institute has contributed to vital research in fields including state health policy, health services, pharmacoepidemiology, aging and global health.

Since its founding in 1985, the institute has supported hundreds of researchers and trainees, secured millions in grants, and advanced solutions to improve health outcomes. Today, it continues to foster collaboration across disciplines and apply rigorous science to tackle pressing public health issues.

11/21/2025

Congratulations to Chancellor Brian Strom on being named New Jersey’s 2025 Educator of the Year by the Research & Development Council. Even with a career filled with achievements, he says his proudest legacy is the students, clinicians, and researchers he mentored. A leader who built an institution and lifted the next generation with him.

11/20/2025

Recipients of the Presidential Employee Excellence Recognition Awards were recently honored for their outstanding service and impact within the Rutgers community and beyond. Among the honorees was the François-Xavier Bagnoud (FXB) Center at the Rutgers School of Nursing, recognized for its exceptional frontline care for individuals and families affected by HIV.

Through compassionate, patient-centered care, the FXB team has raised viral load suppression rates from 86% to 93%, implemented innovative injectable treatments, and maintained zero new perinatal HIV infections since 2020. Patients stay with the center for an average of 18 years – and many since infancy – which is a testament to the trust and continuity the team provides. Every day, they overcome barriers such as housing instability and lack of insurance to ensure patients feel seen, supported, and valued.

Their work exemplifies Rutgers Excellence and makes a lasting difference in the lives of those they serve.

11/19/2025

At Rutgers Cancer Institute and RWJBarnabas Health, researchers are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in cancer treatment. In collaboration with the National Cancer Institute, two recent studies led by Christian Hinrichs, MD revealed something extraordinary – patients with advanced HPV-related cancers experienced long-term complete responses following treatment with engineered T cell therapy.

The first study, which evaluated the use of TCR-T cells designed to target the HPV16 E7 oncoprotein, showed remarkable results. Several patients – all of whom had advanced cancers that are generally regarded as incurable – saw substantial tumor shrinkage, and two experienced complete tumor regression that remains ongoing.

In a second study, investigators reported the extraordinary finding that two patients with metastatic cervical cancer remain in complete remission 10 years after receiving a single infusion of TIL therapy.

“These studies indicate that one-time cell therapies can achieve durable responses in epithelial cancers, which historically have been more resistant to these treatments than blood cancers,” said Dr. Hinrichs.

“The decade-long complete responses to TIL therapy give hope that these patients may be cured. The E7 T cell results that include complete responses are encouraging and support continued study of the approach.”

Congratulations to Dr. Hinrichs and his team on this incredible achievement, which is a major step forward for cancer treatment. 🎉

11/18/2025

A new Rutgers-led study shows that Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act significantly increased access to PrEP, a medication that prevents HIV infection, among high-risk populations.

However, gains in access to PrEP were greater for white populations compared to Black, Hispanic, and Latino populations, indicating that racial disparities persist.

“These disparities highlight the limitations of relying solely on state-by-state insurance expansion to close gaps in HIV prevention,” says Rutgers Health expert, Elizabeth Stone.

“We need policy interventions that address the social and systemic factors driving inequities in PrEP access."

11/17/2025

An outstanding achievement. Congratulations, Omar! 🎉

Omar M. Abuattieh, a Rutgers doctoral student at the Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, has been selected as a 2026 Rhodes Scholar, earning one of the most prestigious international academic honors available to college graduates.

11/17/2025

To help limit the spread of respiratory viruses this winter, Rutgers Health pediatric nurse practitioner and educator, Meghan Faulkner, shares tips for prevention, symptom management, and when to seek medical care.

🤒 Avoid contact with others until your (or your child’s) fever has subsided for over 24 hours without medication.

🧼 Partake in excellent hand hygiene and masking while respiratory symptoms persist.

💉 Obtain annual COVID-19 and influenza vaccines.

Learn more in the full Q&A: go.rutgers.edu/jhxd8ks1

11/14/2025

Teens and young adults who see alcohol promotions in their social media feeds are more likely to drink and binge drink, according to a Rutgers Health review of 31 studies that tracked links between exposure to digital alcohol marketing and real-world alcohol use.

“There’s growing evidence that it’s not how long you spend on social media but what content you see that affects you,” says Jon-Patrick Allem, a professor at Rutgers School of Public Health and Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.

“Young people being exposed to alcohol promotions online is associated with alcohol use across different contexts and populations.”

A Rutgers Health meta-analysis links digital alcohol marketing to higher odds of drinking among teens and young adults.

11/12/2025

Former NBA player Michael Kidd-Gilchrist shared his inspiring journey with first-year Rutgers Health students about how he overcame a speech impediment and turned his experience into advocacy for better speech therapy access.

“I used to hide my stutter,” he told the students. “Now I share it so others can find their voice.”

11/10/2025

Young sexual minority men face significantly higher rates of anxiety, depression, PTSD, and substance use than their heterosexual peers. A three-year analysis by Rutgers Health researchers links these disparities to discrimination, stigma, and chronic stress.

“Discrimination had the largest impact on the severity of all mental health outcomes,” says Perry N. Halkitis, dean of the Rutgers School of Public Health and senior author of the study. “This may be because of the external nature of discrimination, which is less controllable by the individual compared to the other, more internal-facing stressors.”

“These findings reinforce the public health implications that discrimination and stress have on driving substance use and mental health disparities among vulnerable populations.”

11/10/2025

11/05/2025

Rutgers School of Nursing has joined forces with the Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib College for Knowledge in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to strengthen the global nursing workforce amid rising healthcare demands.

During a three-day visit to and Rutgers University—Newark campuses, leaders from the newly established Saudi nursing college met with Rutgers faculty and administrators to explore academic models, clinical partnerships and student support systems.

The visit also included the signing of a memorandum of understanding that outlines four primary areas of collaboration: faculty development, curriculum innovation, student and faculty exchange and the design of future postgraduate nursing programs.

“Health care challenges transcend borders,” said Angela Starkweather, dean and professor of the Rutgers School of Nursing.

“By sharing knowledge, research and innovation, we can prepare nurses everywhere to meet the needs of their communities – and, in doing so, improve health outcomes globally."