Raritan Bay Medical Center announced last week it will expand its relationship with an area medical school and become a major clinical affiliate of the institution.
Through the affiliation agreement announced last Thursday, Raritan Bay, which has divisions in Old Bridge and Perth Amboy, will collaborate with the University of Medicine and Dentistry — Robert Wood Johnson Medical School (RWJMS) to enhance programs in the areas of obstetrics and gynecology, and pediatrics. This agreement adds to the medical center’s long-standing relationship with RWJMS, as the hospital has had an Internal Medicine Residency affiliation for 25 years.
"This agreement advances our commitment to excellence in the pursuit of our core missions in education, research, patient care and community health," said Harold L. Paz, dean at the university and medical school. "It also elevates Raritan Bay Medical Center’s status and reinforces its commitment to academic health care."
Through its Perth Amboy and Old Bridge divisions, Raritan Bay provides health care to residents of Central New Jersey. Raritan Bay is a member of the Robert Wood Johnson Health Network and an affiliate of the Cancer Institute of New Jersey. The medical center is licensed for 501 beds, has a medical staff of 500 physicians and a professional nursing and service staff of more than 2,000 who render medical-surgical, maternity, pediatric, general and critical care, as well as emergency services.
UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School has campuses in New Brunswick, Piscataway and Camden. 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 includes 85 centers and institutes.
Among them are 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.
"Ultimately, our enhanced relationship with the medical school means enhanced patient care," said Michael R. D’Agnes, president and chief executive officer at Raritan Bay. "Expectant mothers now have access to new and enhanced maternal fetal services, high risk evaluation and treatment and an elevated level of care for newborns. Our pediatric patients also will have increased access to specialty services such as neonatologists and pediatric emergency services."