Rutgers Health

01/12/2026

When chronic knee pain due to osteoarthritis makes even simple movements difficult, surgery often feels like the only option. But at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Dr. Abhishek Kumar is offering patients new hope through a minimally invasive procedure called genicular artery embolization.

Instead of major surgery, the treatment uses a tiny catheter to block small arteries that feed inflammation around the knee. It’s done on an outpatient basis, requires no incisions, and patients typically return to normal activities within a day or two. For many, pain relief begins almost immediately and continues to improve over time.

Rutgers is among the first major academic centers in the region to provide this innovative therapy, which has been available at University Hospital since 2024. For people who can’t undergo knee replacement or want to avoid surgery altogether, this breakthrough is changing lives—restoring mobility and offering a future free from chronic pain.

01/07/2026

A new Rutgers Health study is the first to link ultra-processed foods to reduced survival in Black women with breast cancer. The worst offender, researchers found, is processed meats.

“Black women have the highest mortality rate from breast cancer compared with other racial or ethnic groups in the U.S. That's why we wanted to see what factors might contribute to these differences,” says lead author Tengteng Wang, a member of the Cancer Prevention and Control Program at Rutgers Cancer Institute, New Jersey’s only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, together with RWJBarnabas Health.

Understanding that modifying diet and restricting ultra-processed foods can be difficult or impractical, Wang leaves patients with the following takeaway: "If you can't do everything, at least limit consumption of processed meat."

A study from Rutgers Cancer Institute researchers in eClinicalMedicine is the first to link ultra-processed foods to reduced survival in Black women with breast cancer.

01/02/2026

Meet Katie Zapert, assistant dean for research at the Rutgers School of Public Health and recipient of the Rutgers Gateway Award for Service to Employees.

Zapert didn’t just build the Office of Research from the ground up – she established a vital infrastructure that guides investigators, funding agencies, and the Rutgers Office of Sponsored Programs. She works diligently to identify research opportunities, foster crucial community collaborations, build mentorship teams, and ensure the submission of successful research and practice applications.

Her most critical contribution, however, came during a time of crisis. In March 2025, when the NIH abruptly terminated several ongoing research projects due to federal de-prioritization, Katie immediately spearheaded a multifaceted institutional response.

It was chiefly through Zapert’s relentless advocacy, institutional savvy, and strategic skill in connecting key stakeholders that Rutgers came to be represented in the landmark multistate Massachusetts v. Kennedy lawsuit. This legal action was successfully resolved in June, yielding rapid and exceptional results: Virtually all previously terminated projects have been reinstated.

Zapert is more than an administrator; she is a strategic leader who elevates and empowers our faculty, securing their research future even against federal-level headwinds.

01/01/2026

Start the year with a healthy smile! 😁 Experts at Rutgers School of Dental Medicine share their top tips – from cavity prevention to protecting your natural teeth – to keep your smile strong all year long.

The start of a new year is the perfect time to commit to better habits.Experts from every specialty at the Rutgers School of Dental Medicine share an essential resolution for maintaining a healthy mouth. From preventing cavities to protecting your natural teeth, here is their advice to keep your smi...

12/30/2025

A neighbor’s tearful confession in a small town in Anhui, China, sparked Rutgers neuroscientist Peng Jiang’s most urgent mission yet. The neighbor’s mother, after years of battling Alzheimer’s, had suddenly stopped recognizing him—and feared his children might one day face the same fate. That moment stayed with Jiang, fueling his dedication to finding a real solution.

Back in his New Jersey lab at Rutgers, Jiang and colleague Mengmeng Jin focused not on what causes Alzheimer’s—but on what protects against it. Their breakthrough? A rare mutation in microglia—the brain’s immune guardians—that seems to shield the brain from the disease.

In a groundbreaking study, they showed that microglia with this mutation stayed youthful and avoided chronic inflammation, cleaned up toxic proteins far more effectively, and took over from unmutated cells in mixed environments, revitalizing the brain's defense system

Even more remarkable: this resilience appeared in both Down syndrome and typical-population microglia, suggesting a universal path to protection.

Imagine a future where we don’t just remove harmful proteins, but boost the brain’s own defenses through engineered microglia transplants or gene therapy introducing this protective mutation. This team of researchers envisions exactly that.

12/29/2025

A recent Rutgers School of Public Health evaluation of the Nurture NJ initiative shows measurable progress when it comes to maternity care access in New Jersey.

However, this progress isn’t distributed evenly, and the research findings emphasize that more work is needed to ensure that access is equitable across the state.

"Our analysis provides preliminary evidence of racial and ethnic disparities in access to perinatal health care services in New Jersey, and calls into focus the need for more research to better understand these challenges and the potential of policies to address these disparities," says professor Slawa Rokicki, who led the analysis.

Explore more findings from the analysis: go.rutgers.edu/auznhmap

12/26/2025

The Rutgers Krieger Klein Alzheimer's Research Center has received a $1.5 million philanthropic gift from the Norman and Mary Pattiz Foundation to establish a physician-scientist research program.

The program will train physician-scientists to focus on new drug development and early disease detection when intervention has the greatest potential to alter long-term outcomes. By advancing innovative patient-focused research, Rutgers Health physician-scientists involved in the program aim to strengthen the dementia research ecosystem and improve treatment for individuals at risk or with Alzheimer’s disease in New Jersey and throughout the United States.

The Rutgers Krieger Klein Alzheimer's Research Center has received a $1.5 million philanthropic gift from the Norman and Mary Pattiz Foundation to establish a physician-scientist research program. 

12/23/2025

So far during this year’s holiday season, New Jersey Poison Control assisted in the medical care of 58 people – including children – who were exposed to carbon monoxide. These cases highlight the ongoing risk of CO exposure during winter months when families rely on portable generators, heaters, and other fuel-burning devices.

“These numbers remind us that carbon monoxide poisoning is not rare—it’s a real and present danger in every home,” said Diane Calello, executive and medical director of the center, which is housed at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. “Prevention is simple: install detectors, check batteries, and never use gas-powered equipment indoors.”

To help you stay safe from exposure to carbon monoxide, the New Jersey Poison Control Center is sharing its 12 dangers of carbon monoxide – critical tips to prevent illness.

As families gather for the holidays, experts at the New Jersey Poison Control Center remind everyone that carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is a serious, life-threatening hazard that can strike without warning. 

12/22/2025

Nearly 46% of healthcare workers report feeling burned out. To tackle this growing challenge, Rutgers Health hosted its inaugural Well-Being in Healthcare Summit, bringing together 120+ leaders from 18+ organizations to share evidence-based strategies for supporting provider well-being and reducing burnout.

“Investing in well-being is foundational to the stability of the entire health system,” says Reka Somodi, Senior Director for Promotion of Well-Being within the Office of Clinical and Health Affairs.

From mindfulness programs to AI-assisted workflow improvements, Rutgers Health is fostering a culture of care that helps healthcare workers thrive.

12/19/2025

A message of gratitude from Rutgers Health Chancellor Brian Strom:

"As this year draws to a close, I want to wish each of you a peaceful, joyful holiday season and share my heartfelt hopes for your continued success in the years ahead.

"Looking back on twelve years as your inaugural Chancellor, I am filled with deep gratitude. This role has been the greatest privilege of my career, and your passion, humanity, and commitment to improving lives have inspired me every day. As I complete my tenure as chancellor, I want to leave you with the same advice that has guided me along my own path: Do what you enjoy. Get in touch with what you truly want, because that is where you will do your best work. Don’t follow only the path you think you should take; follow the one that excites and inspires you. I have followed that advice in every step of my career, and it has allowed me to enjoy every minute.

"This is the last time I will write to you as your Chancellor. But I hope it is not the last time I remain part of your lives. Rutgers, and each of you, will always be deeply important to me. In only 12 short years, together we moved Rutgers Health to a position of national prominence. I look forward to watching you continue this momentum with the remarkable work you are doing to shape an even stronger future for the people we serve."

As this year draws to a close, I want to wish each of you a peaceful, joyful holiday season and share my heartfelt hopes for your continued success in the years ahead.

12/18/2025

This holiday season, Rutgers Health is delighted to present a special video performance featuring two of our student musical groups: The Vocal Chords from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and The Ultrasounds from Robert Wood Johnson Medical School .

From all of us at Rutgers Health, happy holidays and best wishes for a healthy and fulfilling New Year! ❄️

12/18/2025

Congratulations to students Margaret Donlevie and Jacklyn Feingold of Rutgers’ Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy! 👏👏👏

The duo earned second place in the 30th Annual American Society of Health-System Pharmacists Clinical Skills Competition, beating out teams from 128 pharmacy schools nationwide.