Press Release

For Immediate Release
Contact: Susan Preston
(973) 972-7265

At UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
Medical School Signs Affiliation Agreement with Jersey Shore University Medical Center

The University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School has signed a new affiliation agreement to expand its relationship with Meridian Health's Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune.

Under the new agreement, Jersey Shore University Medical Center will become a University Hospital Affiliate of UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School on July 1.

"This agreement advances our commitment to excellence in the pursuit of our core missions in education, research, patient care and community health," said Dr. Harold L. Paz, dean of UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. "This new designation also enhances the medical center's status and reinforces its commitment to academic health are. We look forward to working with Jersey Shore University Medical Center and Meridian Health as we build a solid foundation with joint programs and grow in the future to new heights and achievements."

The expanded affiliation means the medical school will increase its undergraduate and graduate medical education programs and clinical research activities at the 502-bed tertiary care teaching hospital. Meridian Health's other two hospitals - Medical Center of Ocean County and Riverview Medical Center - also will have the opportunity to become more involved in the education of medical students, graduate medical education and clinical research.

"Our academic vision was created to achieve our goal to bring the 'absolute best' advanced medicine to the entire region via a partnership among all three of our hospitals and physicians - partners who now have an even stronger link to the worldwide medical community and all the wonderful advances in diagnosis, treatment and care that are taking place every day," said John K. Lloyd, FACHE, president of Meridian Health. "Working together with UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, we will develop even more reasons for our patients to stay close to home to receive outstanding care with the latest technology.

UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School is one of eight schools of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, which comprises the state's only three medical schools and dental school, as well as schools of public health, nursing, health related professions and graduate biomedical sciences.

As one of the nation's leading comprehensive medical schools, UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, with campuses in New Brunswick, Piscataway and Camden, is dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in education, research, health care delivery and the promotion of community health for the residents of New Jersey. With 2,500 full-time and volunteer faculty, the medical school maintains educational programs at the undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate levels for more than 1,500 students, as well as continuing education courses for health care professionals and community education programs.

The medical school encompasses 21 basic science and clinical departments and also integrates diverse clinical programs conducted at its 34 hospital affiliates and numerous

ambulatory care sites in the region. UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School also hosts 85 centers and institutes, including The Cancer Institute of New Jersey, the Cardiovascular Institute, the Child Health Institute of New Jersey, the Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine, and the Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute.

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