What You Need To Know
Hackensack Meridian Health Foundation is pleased to announce the receipt of a generous $100,000 grant from Bank of America aimed at advancing health equity in Paterson, NJ and supporting the education of the next generation of physicians participating in the Human Dimension program at Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine.
Opened in 2018, Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine’s unique curriculum fosters teamwork and a humanistic focus on community wellness through its Human Dimension program. The school integrates the biomedical, behavioral, social and health systems sciences in the context of the patients and communities, with a focus on underserved cities across New Jersey, like Paterson.
Since 2018, the School of Medicine has worked with residents and communities in Paterson. Through the Human Dimension program, future doctors become involved in all aspects of the family’s life to better understand the social determinants of health that contribute to poorer health outcomes, identify unmet needs and help families navigate community resources. Medical students have cared for more than 300 Paterson families, engaged with 120 community partners, completed 55 community health projects benefiting more than 8,000 Paterson residents and established 21 current community health project task forces. By doubling the number of medical students paired with individuals and families in need, the School of Medicine will serve a greater number of Paterson residents year over year, increase health literacy and support the connections needed to improve the health and well-being for patients, regardless of their socio-economic status or level of education.
Paterson is the largest city in Passaic County and serves as the county seat. According to the U.S. Census American Community Survey dated July 1, 2022, the most recent data intake, the total population was nearly 157,000, representing about one-third of the population of the county. Per the 2020 Passaic County Needs Assessment, health care concerns ranked third highest due to the lack of medical professionals who accept Medicaid and concerns about inequities in accessing medical services, including language barriers, and lack of culturally competent, affordable health care.