Rutgers University–Camden and Samaritan Sign Memorandum of Understanding Formalizing Premier Partnership to Advance Practice of Palliative Medicine

The institutions are joining forces to expand research, education and community engagement to advance the practice of palliative medicine in the City of Camden and the region 

 “We are extremely proud to establish our innovative Premier Partnership with Rutgers University-Camden, the first of its kind for both of our organizations,” said Samaritan President and CEO Phillip W. Heath, M.S. “Today represents an important milestone for Chancellor Tillis and me, as our shared vision is codified and we bring together colleagues and key stakeholders to advance the practice of palliative medicine in Camden and the region.” 

 According to the Center to Advance Palliative Care, at least 12 million adults and nearly 400,000 children in the United States are currently living with serious illness and could benefit from palliative medicine. The recently passed Palliative Care Medicaid Billin New Jersey recognizes the importance of this specialized medical care and emotional and spiritual support, as well as pain and symptom relief for especially vulnerable adults and the pediatric populations living with serious illness. 

 The expansion and enhancement of palliative medicine services to the City of Camden and the broader region is at the heart of this new partnership between Rutgers–Camden and Samaritan. By engaging with Samaritan’s medical providers, clinical teams and staff across all service lines (primary care, palliative medicine, social connections, hospice care and grief support), the Partnership will support increased access to home-based healthcare services and supports for social determinants of health for communities of color and other underserved populations in Camden City and surrounding communities within Camden, Burlington and Gloucester Counties. 

• Photo 1: Rutgers University–Camden Chancellor Antonio D. Tillis, Ph.D. and Samaritan President and CEO Phillip W. Heath, M.S. shake hands after signing a Memorandum of Understanding to establish a Premier Partnership, the first of its kind for both institutions.
  Photo Credit: Ron Downes

• Photo 2: Donna M. Nickitas, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, CNE, FNAP, FAAN, dean of the Rutgers School of Nursing–Camden; Antonio D. Tillis, Ph.D., Chancellor of Rutgers University–Camden; Phillip W. Heath, M.S., President and CEO of Samaritan; and Stephen Goldfine, MD, DABFP, CAQGM, DABHP, Chief Medical Officer of Samaritan.

• Photo Credit: Rich Ratner

 

• Photo 3: Camden County Commissioner Al Dyer; Antonio D. Tillis, Ph.D., Chancellor of Rutgers University–Camden; Phillip W. Heath, M.S., President and CEO of Samaritan; and Camden County Commissioner Melinda Kane.

 Photo Credit: Ron Downes 

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About Rutgers University–Camden:

 

Ranked #49 in U.S. News & World Report’s list of Best Public Colleges and Universities, Rutgers University–Camden is a diverse, research-intensive campus of approximately 6,100 students at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels and more than 1,000 faculty and staff members. Located in Camden, N.J., directly across the Delaware River from Philadelphia, the university is uniquely situated to serve a tight-knit local community while achieving global reach. A U.S. Department of Education-designated Minority Serving Institution, Rutgers–Camden is regarded as a national model for civically engaged urban universities. Recently, Rutgers–Camden earned Carnegie classification as an R2 research university due to a high volume of internationally recognized research, creative output, and scholarly activity.

 

About Samaritan:

 

Samaritan is a not-for-profit, independent organization locally founded in Moorestown, New Jersey in 1980 as one of the first hospices in the country. Samaritan is now one of the State’s leading providers of hospice care, palliative (comfort) medicine, at-home primary care, grief support and counseling, advanced illness care, education and advocacy. Samaritan serves people in Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Gloucester and Mercer counties who are coping with the stresses of aging, serious illness or grief wherever they call home. Samaritan also has two dedicated inpatient hospice centers in Voorhees and Mount Holly. Beyond the services covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial insurance plans, Samaritan annually provides nearly $1M in donor-funded non-reimbursed care for patients and families in the South Jersey region. A thrift shop in Westmont also supports Samaritan services and programs. Samaritan is accredited by The Joint Commission; a member of the National Partnership for Hospice Innovation; and is a four-star hospice in the national We Honor Veterans program. For more information, visit www.SamaritanNJ.org.