Rutgers recently announced the formal launch of a public-private partnership with RWJBarnabas Health to operate a world-class integrated academic health system that will provide life-changing research, clinical training of tomorrow’s workforce, and quality health care that is accessible and reduces health disparities in New Jersey. The formation of a unified clinical mission will allow RWJBarnabas Health and Rutgers, which will remain separate institutions, to accentuate the signature strengths of the two entities as RWJBarnabas Health takes the lead in the clinical enterprise and Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences oversees the academic enterprise of research and education. 

“This is a transformational partnership for RWJBarnabas Health and Rutgers University, but, more importantly, for the people of New Jersey,” said Barry H. Ostrowsky RC’72, president and CEO of RWJBarnabas Health. 

The commitment is significant. RWJBarnabas Health will invest more than one billion dollars over 20 years to expand the research and education mission at Rutgers. The effort includes recruiting distinguished clinical and academic leaders and faculty as well as 100 top principal investigators over the next 10 years. The financial support will also encourage Rutgers medical students, who will benefit from training in interprofessional clinical environments, to remain in New Jersey and provide care for its residents. The partnership will expand access to clinical trials by bringing the most promising treatments to the people of New Jersey. RWJBarnabas Health will also fund the construction of a clinical and research facility for the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey.

“Through this partnership,” said Robert Barchi, the president of Rutgers, “we have formed the largest and most comprehensive academic health system in New Jersey and are well positioned to take our place as a national leader in patient care, health sciences discovery, and innovation.”

To learn more about the partnership, visit rutgersrwjbhtogether.org.