Zufall Health’s Franklin Township School-Based Health Center Opens

When care is a short walk from the classroom rather than a long trip across multiple bus lines, students are more likely to succeed in school, and parents are less likely to need to choose between going to work and taking their child to the doctor. That’s the promise of school-based health care, and it’s exactly what Zufall Health is now delivering in Franklin Township — thanks to partners and donors like you.

On May 13, Zufall celebrated the grand opening of its first school-based health center on the campus of Franklin Middle School in Somerset County. Made possible through Zufall’s partnership with the Franklin Township Board of Education and Franklin Township, the center offers integrated medical, dental, and behavioral health services to everyone, regardless of income or insurance status. Unlike traditional school-based clinics, the center is open to the entire community, not just students and their families.

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Impact Updates and How You Can Help

Health Care Updates for Our Housing Insecure Population

Housing is vital to well-being. Without a safe place to live, managing chronic conditions, storing medications, or even getting a good night’s sleep can become daily challenges. As housing insecurity continues to rise across New Jersey, Zufall Health is expanding outreach to ensure people experiencing housing instability can access the care they need. Read more.

The Care I Trust Most: Lorraine’s Story

Twenty years ago, a devastating fall changed Lorraine’s life. Facing multiple health challenges, job loss, and the search for affordable care, she found a trusted partner in Zufall Health. Now 80 years old and enrolled in Medicare, Lorraine still chooses Zufall for her primary care — not because she has to, but because of her deep trust in her care team. Read more. 

Save the Date for the Annual Be Well Benefit!

Mark your calendars for the Be Well Benefit on Thursday, October 1 from 6:00 – 9:00 pm at the Morris Museum in Morristown, NJ. Known for its beautiful galleries, engaging exhibits, and vibrant community programming, the Morris Museum provides a warm and inspiring setting for this special evening celebrating the importance of accessible, compassionate health care. Additional event details and invitations will be shared soon.

People Behind the Mission

Why I Give: Noah Goldman, MD, MBA

Noah Goldman, MD, MBA, Medical Director of Cancer Services at Penn Medicine Princeton Health, believes that seeking out health care shouldn’t be scary — but knows that for too many people, it is. Goldman, who previously worked on the front lines of care for underserved populations, now channels that conviction into Board service at Zufall Health, where he guides and oversees programs that directly impact those in need. Read more.

Meet Your Provider: Julia Cornett, MD

Recent medical advances have changed what’s possible for people living with or at risk of HIV. But access to that care isn’t equal, and HIV remains a serious public health threat in the U.S. After treating patients with preventable HIV-related complications in hospitals nationwide, Infectious Disease Physician Julia Cornett, MD, knew that a practice like Zufall Health was where she could make the biggest impact. Read more.

More from Around the Health System

Friends in Elected Office, Old and New, Visit Zufall Health

Building relationships with elected officials is critical to protecting the policies that support community health centers and the patients they serve. Last week, Senator Anthony Bucco (R-25) served as a guest reader for Zufall’s Reach Out and Read program. A longtime friend of Zufall, his visit provided an opportunity to engage directly with this initiative, which integrates literacy into pediatric primary care. In May, newly elected Congresswoman Analilia Mejia (D-11) said coming to Zufall was a “full-circle moment.” As a former health center patient, she understands firsthand the importance of affordable care for the constituents she now represents.

SVP of Dental Services Jade Duncan, DDS, MEd, Talks Access to Care for Veterans on PBS

Historically, dental care has been excluded from many public health programs — and this holds true even for most veterans who receive their health care through the VA. Zufall’s SVP of Dental Services Jade Duncan, DDS, MEd, recently appeared on One on One with Steve Adubato to shed light on this often overlooked gap in access and explain how Zufall’s Smiles for Our Heroes program steps in to meet the need. Watch Duncan’s full interview.

Applications for Zufall Health AmeriCorps Are Open

Do you know someone who would be a great fit for the Zufall Health AmeriCorps Program? Participants gain hands-on health care experience while making a difference in the community. During their service terms, Volunteers collaborate with Zufall Health providers and staff to support programs focused on diabetes management, prenatal care, HIV/AIDS awareness, pediatric obesity prevention, and oral health. Learn more.