Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and New Jersey Health Foundation work together to create a $4 million endowment for medically under-served

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J., Sept. 16, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Thanks to a joint effort between the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) and New Jersey Health Foundation (NJHF), the Eric B. Chandler Health Center has received $4 million to establish an endowment to help assure that central New Jersey's most vulnerable residents will receive needed health care now and in the future. 

"We were delighted to work with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation on this project," explained Dr. George F. Heinrich, vice chair and CEO of New Jersey Health Foundation. "This endowment will help Chandler Health Center maintain the fiscal stability necessary to provide vital services for patients who have few other health care options."

The project, which began in November 2010 as a $2 million challenge grant from RWJF, was completed in June 2013, more than one year ahead of its projected November 2014 completion day. NJHF provided $600,000 through its matching program and raised an additional $1.5 million to meet the challenge.

The Center, owned and operated by Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in collaboration with the Eric B. Chandler Community Board Inc., provides a full range of health care services to those in need, regardless of ability to pay.  Patients utilizing services are economically disadvantaged, with 72 percent reporting incomes of less than the federal poverty level. 

"The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation is pleased to help the Center maintain its current level of health care services, an important resource for the most vulnerable residents of New Jersey. This project reflects the Foundation's commitment to help all Americans improve their health and get the care they need," added James S. Marks, MD, senior vice president and director, health group at RWJF.

Primary care services available at Chandler include family medicine; internal medicine; infectious disease counseling; testing and treatment; pediatrics; obstetrics and gynecology; podiatry; family planning; and dental services. 

"We are extremely thankful to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and New Jersey Health Foundation for working together to establish this endowment and for their continued strong support of the health center," said Dr. Eric Jahn, senior associate dean of community health at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.

Sandra Adams, executive director of Chandler Health Center, agrees that the funding is vital.

"This funding will assure that we continue in our commitment to provide the greater New Brunswick communities with the quality health care they need," she added.

About New Jersey Health Foundation

New Jersey Health Foundation (www.njhf.org) is a not-for-profit corporation that supports biomedical research and health-related education programs in New Jersey through its matching program, its Grants Program and its affiliate, Foundation Venture Capital Group (www.foundationventure.com) which makes private equity investments in life science start- up companies headed toward commercialization in New Jersey.

SOURCE New Jersey Health Foundation