Officials at West Orange, N.J.-based RWJBarnabas Health and New Brunswick, N.J.-based Rutgers University signed a letter of intent to create one of the state's largest academic healthcare systems.
The venture will reportedly enhance the delivery and accessibility of healthcare for patients throughout the state, boost recruitment and advance innovation in healthcare and education.
Rutgers faculty will provide clinical services at the health system through the Rutgers Health Group, the university's 1,000-member physician practice. The collaboration will result in a multispecialty group comprised of more than 2,500 practitioners. However, the two organizations will remain independent entities.
Officials stated the organizations will also create a joint committee for strategic planning and oversight and begin jointly recruiting academic and clinical practitioners as part of the partnership.
"The clinical delivery of services will be managed and led by RWJBarnabas Health in coordination with Rutgers, and the academic and research functions will be managed and led by Rutgers in coordination with RWJBarnabas Health," said Barry H. Ostrowsky, president and CEO of RWJBarnabas Health. "Together, we are solidifying our commitment to drive advanced research and invest in the health and wellness of the people in our communities throughout the region for many years to come."