Rutgers Health

03/06/2026

A new Rutgers Health and Harvard study shows that even subtle alcohol cues in influencer posts can significantly increase young adults’ desire to drink.

In a randomized experiment, viewers exposed to posts featuring alcohol were 73% more likely to want a drink compared to those who saw identical posts without alcohol.

Alcohol cues tucked into lifestyle posts increased young adults’ self-reported desire to drink, a Rutgers Health-led study finds.

03/05/2026

Rutgers Health is taking major steps to transform how genetic and preventive cardiology is delivered in New Jersey. Cardiologist James Mills, who has spent 35 years in the field, is helping launch a groundbreaking program at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School that takes a holistic approach by bringing together preventive cardiology, cardiac genetics, and sports cardiology.

Many patients with complex or genetically driven cardiovascular disease have traditionally had to travel out of state to major cities for advanced care. This new Rutgers-led program aims to expand local access, improve early detection of inherited disorders like familial hypercholesterolemia, and empower more people to lead heart‑healthy lives.

“The future of cardiology isn’t about treating heart attacks,” says Mills. “It’s about identifying risk earlier, intervening sooner and giving people the opportunity to live longer, healthier lives. That’s the vision we’re building here.”

From carrying a first-aid kit in first grade to launching a transformative preventive cardiology program, a Rutgers Health physician is bringing world-class cardiac care to New Jersey.

03/04/2026

Rutgers has named Lindsay Shea, a nationally recognized Medicaid policy expert and autism researcher, as the new director of the Center for State Health Policy at the Rutgers Institute for Health, Health Care Policy, and Aging Research.

Shea will begin her role in July, bringing extensive experience in Medicaid data innovation, autism research, and translating evidence into policy impact.

Learn more: go.rutgers.edu/501lwdrc

03/03/2026

NJ has become an increasingly important access point for abortion care in the years following the U.S. Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade.

Researchers from , in partnership with the New Jersey Family Planning League - NJFPL, found that abortion access in NJ has grown 25% since 2020, with more than 3,000 patients traveling from other states for care — a surge largely driven by telehealth expansion, expanded use of medication abortion, and increased clinic capacity.

However, disparities in availability remain throughout the state.

“This research gave us a chance to track the progress, and the enduring barriers to abortion care in New Jersey,” said Laura Frye, a doctoral student at the Rutgers School of Public Health and co-author of the report, which highlights both progress and urgency in the need for accessible care in the state.

An analysis reveals expanded providers and telehealth access – alongside persistent geographic gaps

03/02/2026

There isn’t always a single pathway to healing. Sometimes it includes a crayon, a song or folding origami. These are the building blocks of Healing Hues & Harmony, a Rutgers New Jersey Medical School student-led creative arts enrichment initiative that supports pediatric patients at University Hospital in Newark, N.J.

Launched in 2025 by third-year medical students Sneha Gandhi and Shivani Srivastava, the program is rooted in healing that extends beyond medicine to include interpersonal connection and an array of creative arts.

In this Q&A, Gandhi and Srivastava discuss the program’s mission, activities that engage both patients and families, and the lessons they have learned about melding creative arts into the hospital setting: go.rutgers.edu/1olk71qc

02/27/2026

Chronic fatigue affects an estimated 3.3 million Americans, leaving many struggling with persistent exhaustion that makes daily tasks difficult. It’s especially common among people undergoing cancer treatment or living with chronic illnesses like fibromyalgia, lupus, and chronic fatigue syndrome.

A new proof‑of‑concept study from Rutgers Health and the NIH suggests that ketamine — a decades‑old anesthetic and fast‑acting antidepressant — may offer rapid relief for some individuals experiencing chronic fatigue.

“Fatigue has always been ignored because it's so difficult to understand what's causing it,” says senior author Leorey Saligan of Rutgers School of Nursing and Rutgers Cancer Institute. He emphasizes that ketamine wouldn’t be a long‑term solution, but potentially a short-term “reset” that helps patients feel motivated enough to engage in proven, longer-lasting fatigue‑reducing strategies like exercise.

Learn more about the study and opportunities for expanding this line of research: go.rutgers.edu/locn8mvv

02/24/2026

All Rutgers community members are invited to the University’s Virtual Open Hearing on March 31, 6–8 pm.

Your comments will help inform the development of the university’s tuition and related charges for 2026-2027 and can be submitted any time before the Open Hearing. Register to speak by midnight on Friday, March 27, 2026.

Learn more at: rutgers.edu/openhearing

02/24/2026

Before alumna Jenna Lynn Wallace ever put on a nurse’s badge, she was already the person everyone leaned on — the big sister who nurtured, the daughter shaped by watching her mother’s health challenges, and the young woman who instinctively stepped in to help wherever she was needed.

Jenna didn’t just become a nurse, she grew into one, step by determined step. From her early training at Mountainside Hospital to eventually earning her master’s at Rutgers School of Nursing, every milestone reflected grit, pride, and an unwavering devotion to caring for others.

That spirit followed her everywhere: in the way she championed patients, in the way she supported her community as part of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, and even in the way she wore her Rutgers scarlet with pride.

When Jenna passed away in 2018 after an 11‑month battle with cancer, her loss was deeply felt by her family, her community, her colleagues, and the patients whose lives she brightened. She would have turned 50 this year.

Today, her story doesn’t end. It continues in every future nurse practitioner who will carry her legacy forward through the Jenna Lynn Wallace Memorial Scholarship, established by her family to support students at Rutgers School of Nursing. The first scholarship is expected to be awarded this spring, opening doors for those who share Jenna’s calling to care.

Jenna showed us what it means to lead with kindness, resilience, and heart. Now, her legacy will help others do the same. ❤️

02/23/2026

WEATHER UPDATE: While the university remains open, classes and work operations will continue to be remote, where possible, for Tuesday, Feb. 24, to ensure the safety of our community and continuity of operations.

Please continue to check go.rutgers.edu/rh-status for the latest information about changes to the operating status at Rutgers Health.

02/21/2026

The university remains open. For changes to schedules, including remote instruction and operations due to expected weather conditions, check rutgers.edu/status.

02/19/2026

Rutgers Health scientist Morgan Firestein is pioneering a new approach to understanding autism by tracing its origins all the way back to the womb. Her work explores how maternal–fetal–placental signaling through extracellular vesicles influences the development of autism.

Firestein’s arrival to Rutgers comes at a pivotal moment for autism research as rates of diagnosis continue to rise in the U.S. Even as misinformation and pseudoscientific theories – like vaccines and Tylenol – proliferate, Firestein sees opportunity in the increased attention.

“Having the public focused on a topic like autism is good,” she says. “It brings more funding, both private and federal, and greater awareness also means reduced stigma for people with an autism diagnosis.”

For Firestein, the goal now is to help reshape how autism is understood and researched in the laboratory – starting at the very beginning of life.

02/18/2026

Rutgers School of Dental Medicine welcomed more than 120 local children for its annual Give Kids a Smile Day, transforming what was the first-ever dental visit for many into a fun, positive, and confidence‑building experience.

From bright decorations and costumed volunteers to face painting and dental‑themed skits, students and staff created an atmosphere where kids could learn, feel comfortable, and even enjoy taking care of their teeth.

Event organizers and volunteers worked tirelessly to make the day meaningful—helping children understand the importance of preventive dental care while easing fears and building trust.

This incredible initiative is part of the ADA Foundation’s Give Kids a Smile program, providing free dental care to underserved children each February during National Children’s Dental Health Month.

👏 A huge thank you to everyone who volunteered their time and energy to support kids in our community and lay the foundation for a lifetime of healthy smiles!