CHERRY HILL, NJ – Today, U.S. Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01) announced Rowan University and Rutgers University–Camden will receive a total of $1,401,341 in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for medical research and job training programs.

“South Jersey is fast becoming a hub for world-class medical institutions that want to hire the best, and these federal grants will help our ‘Eds and Meds’ corridor continue to thrive,” said Congressman Norcross. “Our top-notch South Jersey universities are shaping the next generation of students, and with these grants, our area is poised to make its mark on future medical discoveries.”

“We are delighted to receive funding from HRSA for the Health Careers Opportunity Program.  This award will strengthen our pipeline programs enabling young men and women from disadvantaged backgrounds to pursue careers in osteopathic medicine, consistent with the schools mission of training clinically skillful, compassionate physicians from diverse backgrounds” said Thomas A. Cavalieri, DO, Dean of the Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine. “On behalf of our university, I wish to extend our gratitude to Congressman Norcross. His continuing support for our university makes it possible for vital programs and projects like these to grow and thrive.”

“Research innovation happens every day at Rutgers University–Camden, where our faculty and students generate original thinking and new ideas that advance our state and our nation,” says Phoebe A. Haddon, Chancellor of Rutgers University–Camden.  “We applaud Dr. Hao Zhu for securing this highly competitive research funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.  Rutgers University–Camden’s faculty consistently succeed in securing national funding support and we are proud to attract these research dollars to South Jersey.”

Rowan University will receive:

• $525,436 from the HHS’ Health Careers Opportunity program for career training in osteopathic medicine.
  
  The program aims to provide individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds an opportunity to develop the skills needed to successfully compete for, enter, and graduate from health professions schools.
   
• $400,000 from HHS’ Primary Care Champions program to train primary care doctors.

The Primary Care Champions program establishes a fellowship programs to train community-based primary care physicians and/or physician assistants.

Rutgers University–Camden will receive:

• $475,905 from HHS’ National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences for research on toxic dental chemicals.
  
  The Institute’s mission is to promote healthier lives through the discovery of how the environment affects people.

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Contact: Ally Kehoe, Communications Director
ally.kehoe@mail.house.gov