Rutgers Health

04/21/2026

What happens when postpartum Medicaid coverage doesn’t end after 60 days? Coverage improves—and more people stay insured when they need it most.

A new Rutgers Health study found that extended postpartum Medicaid coverage during the COVID‑19 pandemic dramatically increased enrollment through the first year after childbirth, helping reduce gaps in care during a critical period for parents and babies.

“I would advise policymakers that continuous postpartum coverage is an important tool for states to monitor and improve health outcomes for postpartum people and their babies,” says Erica Eliason, lead author of the study and an assistant professor at Rutgers Center for State Health Policy and the Rutgers School of Public Health.

“But without strong communication and support, expanded eligibility may not fully translate into improved access or outcomes.”

Read more about the findings and what they mean for the future of maternal health care: go.rutgers.edu/mfb8c0mn

04/20/2026

A new Rutgers Health study found that recent Medicaid expansions significantly increased access to treatment for opioid use disorder, including medications like buprenorphine—even as fatal overdoses continued to rise nationwide.

The research shows how policy changes and coverage expansion work together to remove barriers to care and reach people who need treatment most.

Medicaid insurance expansions between 2017 and 2023 sharply increased access to medication treatment for opioid use disorder in a period when fatal overdoses continued to climb, according to Rutgers Health researchers. 

04/17/2026

In popular TV crime dramas, forensic nurses are always on call to provide critical, specialized care. But in real life, certified forensic nurses are so rare they’re virtually nonexistent.

The Rutgers School of Nursing is helping to close that gap with its forensic nurse examiner course by teaching students how to conduct a basic forensic sexual assault exam, identify and photograph injuries from nonconsensual sexual contact, and prepare for possible defense of exams in court.

Learn more about this incredible program, which is the only of its kind in the state: go.rutgers.edu/isl88l3f

04/16/2026

When the puck drops, Shyam Shah is already on high alert 🏒🦷

A Rutgers School of Dental Medicine professor, Shah serves as an assistant team dentist for the New Jersey Devils, standing rinkside at home games to treat dental and facial injuries and help players get safely back on the ice.

Blending sports, health care, and quick decision‑making, it’s a role that shows how Rutgers' expertise makes an impact far beyond campus.

04/15/2026

Congratulations to the eight Rutgers Health leaders named to the 2026 NJBIZ Health Care Power List. 👏

They were recognized for their leadership in educating the next generation of health care providers; advancing biomedical research and disease treatment through impactful partnerships; informing the public about health risks; shaping life‑saving health policy; and championing clinician and team well‑being.

Learn more about each honoree: go.rutgers.edu/qc8grkai

04/13/2026

For decades, public health responses to infectious diseases have focused primarily on the biology of pathogens: how viruses spread, how vaccines work and how treatments can stop disease.

But that approach alone cannot explain why pandemics continue to devastate people and populations around the world despite our powerful biomedical advances.

From HIV and AIDS to COVID-19, the greatest drivers of pandemics are often human: our emotions, beliefs, political systems and social conditions.

In this Q&A, Perry N. Halkitis, dean of the Rutgers School of Public Health, discusses why this shift is needed as the world prepares for future health crises: go.rutgers.edu/rj4824h6

04/07/2026

The NJ Department of Human Services, in partnership with Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care, opened the first of five planned Crisis Receiving Stabilization Centers, expanding access to urgent, community-based behavioral health care in the state.

The new center, located in Newark, will offer no-wrong-door, short‑term support for people experiencing mental health, substance use, or suicidal crises—providing a safe alternative to hospital emergency rooms as part of the state’s 988 continuum of care.

This milestone marks a major step forward in meeting people where they are and strengthening mental health services across New Jersey.

Learn more: go.rutgers.edu/dr6bc3tl

03/31/2026

Health care workers who take on extended or overnight shifts often face heightened fatigue — especially during times of increased operational strain. According to Rutgers Health research, this isn’t a matter of effort or commitment, but physiology, as work demands collide with the body’s internal clock.

“Fatigue isn’t just about being tired,” says Suzanne Crincoli, assistant professor and nurse-scientist at the Rutgers School of Nursing. “It’s about biology.”

In this Q&A, Crincoli shares insights on the challenges of health care shift work and evidence-based strategies to reduce fatigue-related risk: go.rutgers.edu/8im7ed13

03/27/2026

A big congratulations to the eight Rutgers faculty recently named Fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, including five outstanding Rutgers Health researchers.

This honor is among the most distinctive in the scientific community, and each of these faculty members has more than earned it through their exceptional contributions to discovery, innovation, and improving human health.

Representing Robert Wood Johnson Medical School (RWJMS), Rutgers New Jersey Medical School (NJMS), and the Rutgers School of Public Health (SPH), this year’s Rutgers Health honorees include:

* Cheryl F. Dreyfus, RWJMS
* Maria Laura Gennaro, NJMS & SPH
* Reynold Panettieri Jr., RWJMS
* Junichi Sadoshima, NJMS
* Andrew P. Thomas, NJMS

We’re proud to celebrate their achievements and the impact their work continues to make across the fields of medicine, science, and public health.

03/26/2026

Last week, fourth-year Rutgers medical students joined thousands of peers nationwide in opening their envelopes on Match Day to discover where they’ll begin the next chapter of their medical careers.

Dean Robert L. Johnson, also the interim Chancellor at , called it “a proud and defining moment” that reflects both the students’ dedication and the bright future they bring to health care.

At Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, 93% of the 187 graduating students matched to a program of their choice, with 41% remaining in NJ and many earning placements at prestigious institutions such as Johns Hopkins, UCLA Medical Center, Memorial Sloan-Kettering, Duke, Emory, and NYU Grossman School of Medicine.

Robert Wood Johnson Medical School celebrated a 96% match rate among 153 students, with 33% staying in NJ and others securing residencies at top programs including the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Stanford Health Care, Cedars-Sinai, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, and Baylor College of Medicine.

Congratulations to all our future doctors — your hard work, resilience, and passion will shape the future of medicine. 💙🩺

03/25/2026

Sleep affects every aspect of how we work, learn, and care for others — yet in healthcare and academic settings, disrupted sleep is often the norm rather than the exception. The science is clear: insufficient sleep impacts focus, safety, decision‑making, and overall well‑being.

Throughout March, Rutgers Health, in collaboration with Rutgers University, RWJBarnabas Health, and University Hospital, is continuing its month‑long spotlight on the science of sleep.

Ongoing March offerings include:
🧠 Sessions exploring the latest research on sleep, circadian rhythms, and fatigue
🧘 Virtual and in‑person wellness activities across campus
🏅 A month‑long Sleep Bingo Challenge to help build practical, sustainable habits — complete with individual and team prizes

The message behind this month is simple: better sleep isn’t a luxury. It’s a foundation for better health, sharper focus, and a safer, more supportive environment for everyone.

We invite the Rutgers community to join the remaining programs, participate in the Sleep Bingo Challenge, and take small steps today that can support long‑term well‑being.

Rutgers Health, in collaboration with Rutgers, Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care, RWJBarnabas Health, and University Hospital, will host a month-long series of programs in March to raise awareness of the importance of sleep for professional and academic well-being. 

03/18/2026

Most poison emergencies begin with an ordinary moment – a distracted minute, an unlocked cabinet, or a dangerous product left within a child’s reach. And yet, many emergencies that happen at home are entirely preventable.

As we recognize National Poison Prevention Week, Bruce Ruck, an expert from New Jersey Poison Control, highlights common household items that pose unexpected risks and offers practical steps you can take to prevent poison exposures and protect yourself and those around you.

“The good news is that poison exposures are not inevitable,” he says. “They are preventable. Small actions taken today can prevent tomorrow’s emergencies. And if you’re ever unsure, the New Jersey Poison Control Center is your first and fastest source of expert help, any time of day."

Most poison emergencies begin with an ordinary moment – a distracted minute, an unlocked cabinet or a dangerous product left within a child’s reach.