The New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) and Rowan University have formed a strategic partnership to enhance psychiatric care at Ancora Psychiatric Hospital in Hammonton, NJ. This collaboration, set to begin in January 2025, aims to expand mental health services in South Jersey and integrate academic medicine into one of the state’s key behavioral health facilities.
Addressing Critical Psychiatric Care Needs
Ancora Psychiatric Hospital, one of New Jersey’s four state psychiatric hospitals, provides comprehensive treatment focused on helping patients regain independence and transition back into their communities. The facility serves a range of psychiatric needs, including those of individuals with co-occurring mental illness and substance use disorders. The hospital’s specialized units offer medical and psychiatric care for patients with various complex conditions.
Under the new agreement, Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine’s (SOM) Department of Psychiatry will supply up to six psychiatrists to Ancora. This will significantly increase the hospital’s capacity to deliver specialized psychiatric care and incorporate modern, evidence-based practices into patient treatment.
Combining Clinical Expertise with Academic Medicine
The integration of academic medicine from Rowan-Virtua SOM into state psychiatric care marks a substantial advancement in the delivery of mental health services. By combining clinical expertise with cutting-edge research, the partnership seeks to improve patient outcomes and provide valuable training opportunities for the next generation of psychiatric professionals.
Kaitlan Baston, MD, MSc, DFASAM, New Jersey Health Commissioner, expressed the importance of this collaboration: “By combining Rowan’s academic resources with Ancora’s specialized care, we’re bolstering a vital safety net for New Jersey families when they need it most.”
Christopher Morrison, CEO of Ancora Psychiatric Hospital, emphasized the long-term benefits of the partnership, noting that it not only addresses immediate staffing needs but also creates opportunities to enhance the quality of care while building a pipeline of dedicated psychiatric professionals for the future.
Rowan University’s Commitment to Improving Mental Health Care
Rowan University President Ali Houshmand highlighted the importance of the agreement in boosting the University’s impact on health care in the state and region. “This collaboration exemplifies the kind of forward-thinking partnerships that enable us to address urgent community needs,” Houshmand said.
Richard Jermyn, Dean of Rowan-Virtua SOM, reinforced the significance of the partnership, stating that it underscores Rowan’s commitment to advancing both patient care and medical education. “This agreement enables us to provide comprehensive psychiatric services to patients in South Jersey, reinforcing our mission to care for vulnerable populations and train future health care professionals.”
The Future of Mental Health Care in South Jersey
The collaboration between NJDOH, Rowan University, and Ancora Psychiatric Hospital aims to strengthen mental health care in South Jersey by expanding resources, improving patient care, and training the next generation of psychiatric professionals. This partnership is expected to significantly enhance treatment outcomes for patients while fostering long-term improvements in the region’s mental health care landscape.
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