New orthopedic practice brings coordinated, specialized care to patients in Union County
Frank Liporace, MD, Senior Vice President, Musculoskeletal Service Line, RWJBarnabas Health Northern Regions (center, holding scissors) and leaders from Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Rahway, RWJBarnabas Health Medical Group and the RWJBarnabas Health Orthopedic Service Line recently gathered to cut the ribbon on a new RWJBarnabas Health orthopedic practice at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Rahway.
Rahway, NJ (November 5, 2026) – RWJBarnabas Health Medical Group has opened its new Orthopedic Suite at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Rahway (RWJUH Rahway), expanding access to specialized orthopedic care for patients in Rahway and surrounding Union County communities.
The new practice brings orthopedic specialists with expertise across a range of conditions and injuries under one roof, providing patients with convenient access to orthopedic services close to home. The suite is designed to support coordinated care across the entire RWJBarnabas Health system for patients experiencing a wide range of needs, from common joint and extremity conditions to traumatic injuries and conditions that may require surgery or joint replacement. Patients benefit from seamless, coordinated care in one location, including outpatient appointments, surgical procedures, inpatient services and follow-up rehabilitation.
From left to right: Richard Marchese, MD, an orthopedic surgeon with RWJBarnabas Health Medical Group; Frank Liporace, MD, Senior Vice President, Musculoskeletal Service Line, RWJBarnabas Health Northern Regions; and Todd Alter, MD, an orthopedic surgeon with RWJBarnabas Health Medical Group. Along with orthopedic surgeon Melissa Soderquist, MD, Drs. Marchese and Alter will see patients at the new RWJBarnabas Health Medical Group orthopedic practice at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Rahway.
“The opening of this new orthopedic suite reflects our commitment to making high-quality specialty care accessible to our communities” said Michael Prilutsky, Executive Vice President, RWJBarnabas Health and President & Chief Executive Officer of RWJBarnabas Health Medical Group. “In Rahway, these orthopedic specialists will make it easier for patients to receive coordinated care close to home.”
The practice will include Todd Alter, MD, who specializes in conditions of the hand, wrist and shoulder; Melissa Soderquist, MD, who specializes in orthopedic trauma and joint replacement; and Richard Marchese, MD, who specializes in adult reconstruction, with a focus on knee and hip replacement. Together, the physicians will provide evaluation and treatment for a range of orthopedic injuries and conditions, along with access to musculoskeletal services available through RWJBarnabas Health.
“We are excited to welcome Dr. Alter, Dr. Soderquist, and Dr. Marchese to this new space, each bringing their own specialized expertise that will strengthen the orthopedic services we provide. Their prior experience and dedication to patients in this community will build on our hospital’s commitment to clinical excellence and delivering high-quality care,” said Eric Kleinert, MSN, RN, Chief Administrative Officer, RWJUH Rahway.
“Whether a patient is managing a chronic joint condition or recovering from an unexpected injury, having access to a broad range of orthopedic specialists can make a meaningful difference in their treatment and recovery,” Frank Liporace, MD, Senior Vice President, Musculoskeletal Service Line, Northern Regions, RWJBarnabas Health. “By bringing together expertise in upper extremity care, orthopedic trauma, and joint replacement, we can provide comprehensive treatment options to help patients get back to the activities they enjoy.”
The Orthopedics Suite at RWJUH Rahway is located at 865 Stone Street, First Floor, Rahway (located inside the hospital). To schedule an appointment or learn more, call 201-716-5850.
About RWJBarnabas Health
RWJBarnabas Health is New Jersey’s largest and most comprehensive academic health system, caring for more than five million people annually. Nationally renowned for quality and safety, the system includes 14 hospitals and 9,000 affiliated physicians integrated to provide care at more than 700 patient care locations.
RWJBarnabas Health partners with its communities to build and sustain a healthier New Jersey. It provides patient-centered care in a compassionate manner and is the state’s largest safety-net provider and leader in addressing the social determinants of health. RWJBarnabas Health provides food to the hungry, housing for the homeless and economic opportunities to those most vulnerable.
RWJBarnabas Health’s commitment to enhancing access to care includes a transformative partnership with Rutgers University, including the Rutgers Cancer Institute — the state's only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.
RWJBarnabas Health is among New Jersey’s largest private employers, with more than 45,000 employees, contributing more than $7 billion to the state economy every year. For more information, visit www.RWJBH.org
About Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Rahway
For more than 100 years, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Rahway has been the trusted healthcare facility for patients and families in Union County and beyond. Our comprehensive, state-of-the-art medical center offers a continuum of care that includes diagnostics, emergency care, advanced surgical treatments, wound care center, and much, much more. Our hospital provides acute care, long-term acute and rehabilitative care, as well as outpatient services to ensure our patients and their families receive the education and help they need to make the fullest recovery possible. For more information, visit rwjbh.org/Rahway.
Media Contact:
Kathleen Roberts
Kathleen.Roberts@rwjbh.org
908-415-1039