Driving health improvement among New Jersey’s rural communities using innovation and collaboration was the focus at this year’s statewide rural health symposium in Vineland, NJ.
The symposium, co-sponsored by the Department of Health and the New Jersey Primary Care Association (NJPCA) featured workshop sessions, keynote speakers and award presentations.
More than 200 rural health practitioners representing Federally Qualified Health Centers, clinics, private practices, hospitals, public health professionals, social workers, policy makers, advocates, and local health workers participated in the event.
Workshops focused on improving health in rural areas of the state by combating the opioid epidemic, increasing healthy food access, expanding telehealth and ensuring access to care.
Speakers, including New Jersey Health Commissioner Dr. Shereef Elnahal, addressed disparities rural communities face in health and access to care, strategies to reach underserved populations and collaborative opportunities for health professionals and stakeholders.
A highlight of the daylong event was the presentation of the Community Innovation Awards, recognizing individuals and organizations that have implemented unique strategies to improve the health of residents in at-risk populations.
“These five winners have led outstanding initiatives to bring services to those who need it most in their communities,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Shereef Elnahal. “We shine a spotlight on this incredible work not only to honor our awardees, but also to encourage others to follow their innovative practices.”
Dr. Elnahal presented recipients with awards during his remarks.
“NJPCA and our Federally Qualified Health Centers around the state are pleased the Department of Health is recognizing the tireless commitment of awardees who have worked to ensure all New Jerseyans have access to quality healthcare regardless of where they live. We believe providing opportunities like this conference to share best practices and collaborate on solutions is essential to reducing healthcare disparities,” said Jillian Hudspeth, President and CEO of NJPCA.
Community Innovation Awardees:
- 1. Honorable Mayor Albert B. Kelly of Bridgeton, NJ turned a $10,000 grant into a bright, inviting mobile meals bus that serves up both tasty food and engaging books to area children, many of whom lack transportation to summer meals sites.
- Dr. Harry Paraison and Perfil Latino TV, Inc., a program in Cumberland County whose mission is to improve living conditions of the Latino community through education via television programs, community classes, events and presentations.
- Dr. Martin Luther King Center- Seniors of Newtonville, which partners with the Atlantic County Health Department to hold health screenings for individuals who come to the Food Pantry twice a month.
- Dr. Sam Wakim, Chief Dental Officer- Zufall Health Center, Dover, NJ, provides hundreds of at-risk children, seniors, homeless, veterans and developmentally disabled individuals who are uninsured or underinsured with access to free dental care though state funding. For three years, Dr. Wakim and more than 100 volunteers have partnered to provide oral health care screenings throughout the rural areas of North Western Jersey for National Rural Health Day.
- Resources for Caregivers in Rural NJ, Vineland, NJ is a comprehensive guide to caring for a cancer patient and includes sections such as “What You Need to Know as a Caregiver,” “Dealing With the Diagnosis,” “Getting Organized,” “Keeping Track of Medical Information,” “Managing Symptoms at Home,” “Caregiver Self-Assessment” and more. The Guide is designed to provide caregiver support, improve patient outcomes, and promote patient safety.
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