Joseph C. Cornwall Center for Metropolitan Studies at Rutgers University in Newark Investigates Impact of Hospital Closings on Consumer, Community, and Service Providers

June 10 Conference

EDITOR’S NOTE:

All media are invited to cover this event. This event is open to the public. Reservations are required. Lunch will be provided to the first 150 registrants.

(Newark, NJ) – The closing of an acute care hospital facility almost always presents lingering challenges to the host community. What are the social and economic impacts to a community when a hospital closes? What are the short-term, intermediate, and long-term effects on health services delivery, access to and quality of health care services? What resources are necessary to lessen the impact of hospital closings on the community? What lessons have been gleaned from the closing of acute care hospitals in the state of New Jersey over the past twenty years?

On June 10, 2009, the Joseph C. Cornwall Center for Metropolitan Studies at Rutgers University in Newark will convene its fifth annual conference, “Investigating the Impact of Hospital Closings on the Consumer, Community, and Service Providers.” The conference will provide an open forum for stakeholders to discuss the impact of hospital closings across the state. Invited speakers and panelists for the day include:  legislators, gubernatorial cabinet members, researchers, public health experts, representatives from municipalities, and community-based organizations. The Fund for New Jersey, The Merck Company Foundation, The Nicholson Foundation, and Victoria Foundation, are some of the supporters of the forum. The forum is open to pre-registered members of the public.

What:An open forum in which stakeholders may discuss the statewide impact of hospital closings in New Jersey, featuring Commissioner Heather Howard, New Jersey Senator Ronald L. Rice, and various scholars, public health experts, housing directors, and representatives from municipalities and community-based organizations. 
 Who:The Honorable Heather Howard, commissioner, New Jersey Department of Health and Senior ServicesThe Honorable Ronald L. Rice, senator (District 28), New Jersey State Senate

The Honorable Mila M. Jasey, assemblywoman (District 27), New Jersey General Assembly

The Honorable Sharon Robinson-Briggs, mayor, City of Plainfield

The Honorable Wayne Smith, mayor, Township of Irvington

Dr. Stephanie R. Bush-Baskette, director, Joseph C. Cornwall Center for Metropolitan Studies, Rutgers University, Newark

Dr. Derek DeLia, associate professor, The Center for State Health Policy, Rutgers University, New Brunswick

Dr. Michael Festa, Essex County health officer, Essex County Health Department

Dr. Mahmud Hassan, professor, Rutgers Business School—Newark and New Brunswick

Dr. Kelly Robinson, senior research analyst, Joseph C. Cornwall Center for Metropolitan Studies, Rutgers University, Newark

Elizabeth A. Ryan, Esq., president and chief executive officer, New Jersey Hospital Association

Kevin J. Slavin, FACHE, president and chief executive officer, East Orange General Hospital

Dr. Frank J. Thompson, professor, School of Public Affairs and Administration, Rutgers University, Newark

Peter R. Velez, president and chief executive officer, Newark Community Health Centers, Inc.

Maria Vizcarrondo, director, Department of Child and Family Well-Being, city of Newark

Ilise Zimmerman, president and chief executive officer, Northern New Jersey Maternal/Child Health Consortium

 When:Wednesday, June 10, 20098:30 a.m.– 4:00 p.m.
 Where:Rutgers University in Newark, New JerseyCenter for Law and Justice

123 Washington Street, Room 070 (lower level)

 Sponsors:The Fund for New JerseyThe Merck Company Foundation

The Nicholson Foundation

Victoria Foundation

 

For more information about this program, please contact Irene Welch at 973-353-1750, x3869, or irenew@rutgers.edu. Also, visit www.cornwall.rutgers.edu.

Members of the media wishing to attend this event, please contact the Office of Communications at Rutgers University in Newark, 973-353-5262.

Media Contact: Irene Welch
973-353-1750, 3869
E-mail: irenew@rutgers.edu

Contact: Helen Paxton
973-353-5262
E-mail: paxton@andromeda.rutgers.edu

Contact: Ferlanda Fox Nixon
973-353-5262
E-mail: ferlanda@andromeda.rutgers.edu