Morristown and Wayne N.J., February 22, 20224 - William Paterson University, a public university based in Wayne, and Atlantic Health System, a leading provider of health care in New Jersey, have signed an agreement to establish a framework for collaboration to improve access to high-quality health profession education and health services in the region.
Through the agreement, William Paterson and Atlantic Health will identify and implement joint projects and initiatives geared toward enhancing the nursing and health care workforce.
Potential collaborations will focus on enhanced educational and employment opportunities for William Paterson students, including:
- Developing pathways for nursing and healthcare students to gain meaningful related opportunities at Atlantic Health.
- Developing programs that enable students to gain employment opportunities in careers that are needed in the Northern New Jersey region and consistent with a future career in nursing and healthcare.
- Providing opportunities for academically prepared Atlantic Health nurses to practice as adjunct faculty members.
- Further enhancing a joint research center focused on the advancement of science and grant opportunities.
- Exploring opportunities to build community-facing and campus-facing health and wellness services.
Trish O’Keefe, President of Morristown Medical Center and Chief Nurse Executive for Atlantic Health system states “Development and execution of this collaboration will provide a strong academic clinical partnership between the two organizations, resulting in additional opportunities for academic matriculation while providing strong clinical affiliations and nursing employment opportunities.”
“This exciting new collaboration will mean great things for William Paterson students and Atlantic Health System patients,” said University President Richard J. Helldobler. “As one of the leading producers of nursing graduates in New Jersey, William Paterson will work with Atlantic Health, one of the state’s largest healthcare networks, to expand educational and career opportunities for our students to help meet New Jersey’s growing need for nurses and allied health professionals.”
“Atlantic Health System is delighted to enter into collaboration with William Paterson University to address healthcare needs and workforce shortages,” said Suja Mathew, MD, FACP, Executive Vice President, Chief Clinical Officer, Atlantic Health System. “Atlantic Health is committed to providing our communities the very highest quality of care. Investing in the training and development of William Paterson nursing students and partnering in research help ensure that Atlantic Health is able to continue its long tradition of patient-centered, best-in-class healthcare.”
About Atlantic Health System
Atlantic Health System is at the forefront of medicine, setting standards for quality health care in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and the New York metropolitan area. Powered by a workforce of 20,000 team members and 5,440 affiliated physicians dedicated to building healthier communities, Atlantic Health System serves more than half of the state of New Jersey including 14 counties and 7.5 million people. The not-for-profit system offers more than 550 sites of care, including its seven hospitals: Morristown Medical Center in Morristown, NJ, Overlook Medical Center in Summit, NJ, Newton Medical Center in Newton, NJ, Chilton Medical Center in Pompton Plains, NJ, Hackettstown Medical Center in Hackettstown, NJ, Goryeb Children’s Hospital in Morristown, NJ, Atlantic Rehabilitation Institute in Madison, NJ and through its partnership with CentraState Healthcare System in Freehold, NJ.
The system includes Atlantic Medical Group, part of a physician enterprise that makes up one of the largest multispecialty practices in New Jersey with more than 1,600 physicians and advance practice providers. Joined with Atlantic Accountable Care Organization and Optimus Healthcare Partners they form part of Atlantic Alliance, a Clinically Integrated Network of more than 2,500 health care providers throughout northern and central NJ.
Atlantic Health System provides care for the full continuum of health care needs through 24 urgent care centers, Atlantic Visiting Nurse and Atlantic Anywhere Virtual Visits. Facilitating the connection between these services on both land and air is the transportation fleet of Atlantic Mobile Health.
Atlantic Health System leads the Healthcare Transformation Consortium, a partnership of six regional hospitals and health systems dedicated to improving access and affordability and is a founding member of the PIER Consortium – Partners in Innovation, Education, and Research – a streamlined clinical trial system that will expand access to groundbreaking research across five health systems in the region.
Atlantic Health System has a medical school affiliation with Thomas Jefferson University and is home to the regional campus of the Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Morristown and Overlook Medical Centers and is the official health care partner of the New York Jets.