Pallone, HRSA Administrator Highlight New Program for Primary Care Doctors in Monmouth County
Red Bank, NJ – Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) and Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Administrator Carole Johnson held a press conference today to highlight a grant Pallone helped secure from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to support the establishment of a new primary care medical residency program at community health centers in Monmouth County. The VNACJ Community Health Center will use the $500,000 grant to design a new program for primary care doctors to train and work in Asbury Park, Keyport, Red Bank, and Long Branch.
"Primary care physicians are the keystone of our nation's health care system and are all too often the only providers in high-need communities. Unfortunately, we are increasingly facing a shortage of these vital frontline providers across the country. This planning grant will help address this shortage by allowing the VNACJ to set up the first primary care residency program at community health centers in New Jersey,” said Pallone. “I want to thank Administrator Johnson who joined us today in Red Bank and Chris Rinn who makes sure our communities have access to the care they need. We are grateful for all the health care workers who keep New Jersey healthy.”
“At the Health Resources and Services Administration, growing the health care workforce is a top priority. The funding we are awarding today will allow community-based providers to build a physician workforce that better reflects the community and is best trained to meet the community’s needs,” said HRSA Administrator Carole Johnson. “It was an honor to join Ranking Member Pallone today at the Visiting Nurse Association of Central Jersey to announce these new funds, meet with the dedicated staff who will be planning and designing the new Teaching Health Center program, and see firsthand the incredible impact this work will have on the county.”
“As community health centers specialize in providing care to those enduring health inequities in our most vulnerable communities, the expansion of resident training in these settings is critical,” said Christopher Rinn, CEO, VNACJ Community Health Center. “I am grateful to Congressman Pallone and the federal Health Resources and Services Administration for supporting our efforts to address the need for more primary care doctors in the areas of Monmouth County with the greatest shortage.”
VNACJ Community Health Center is particularly well suited for this primary care residency program. It is working in partnership with Monmouth Medical Center Hospital, a member of the RWJBarnabas Health System, in Long Branch. The plan is to have residents gain educational experience in the Long Branch Hospital, particularly in the inpatient and emergency room departments. VNACJ is also pursuing a partnership with Monmouth Family Health Center to have residents trained at their community health center in Long Branch.