West Orange, NJ, May 20, 2021– RWJBarnabas Health, the largest academic health care system in New Jersey, continues to play an integral role in vaccinating New Jersey residents across the state to fight the spread of COVID-19 and end the pandemic. RWJBarnabas Health is at the vanguard in protecting the communities it serves by announcing it is now mandating COVID-19 vaccination for all team members at the supervisory level and above effective immediately, with the anticipation that it will eventually be required for all staff. All team members at the supervisory level or above will be required to have completed their course of vaccinations no later than June 30, 2021.
“As health care workers and as team members committed to providing a culture of safety, we have an obligation to do all we can to protect our patients and the communities we serve,” said Barry H. Ostrowsky, President and Chief Executive Officer for RWJBarnabas Health. “As a health care leader in the state, we must set the precedent to always provide the safest environment and protect the residents of New Jersey.”
A majority of team members across the RWJBarnabas Health enterprise have already received the full course of the COVID-19 vaccine. The system will continue to offer vaccination for the foreseeable future for all team members as well as the community.
Documented declines in cases since mass vaccination began prove the COVID-19 vaccines are both safe and effective, and are crucial to decreasing the spread of the virus.
To schedule a COVID-19 vaccination, please register at www.rwjbh.org/covid19vaccine.
ABOUT RWJBARNABAS HEALTH
RWJBarnabas Health is the largest, most comprehensive academic health care system in New Jersey, with a service area covering nine counties with five million people. The system includes eleven acute care hospitals – Clara Maass Medical Center in Belleville, Community Medical Center in Toms River, Jersey City Medical Center in Jersey City, Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch, Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus in Lakewood, Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in Newark, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset in Somerville, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital at Hamilton in Hamilton, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Rahway in Rahway and Saint Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, three acute care children’s hospitals and a leading pediatric rehabilitation hospital with a network of outpatient centers, a freestanding 100-bed behavioral health center, two trauma centers, a satellite emergency department, ambulatory care centers, geriatric centers, the state’s largest behavioral health network, comprehensive home care and hospice programs, fitness and wellness centers, retail pharmacy services, affiliated medical groups, multi-site imaging centers and an accountable care organization.
RWJBH is New Jersey’s largest private employer – with more than 35,000 employees, 9,000 physicians and 1,000 residents and interns – and routinely captures national awards for outstanding quality and safety. RWJBH, in partnership with Rutgers University, are creating New Jersey’s largest academic health care system. The collaboration aligns RWJBH with Rutgers’ education, research and clinical activities, including those at the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey - the state's only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center - and Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care.