Saint Peter’s Family Health Center Named Community Organization of the Year by Middlesex County Regional Chamber of Commerce

Located on How Lane in New Brunswick, Saint Peter's Family Health Center provides coordinated healthcare services for adults, children, and women, with a focus on increasing access to high quality care for all patients including the underserved and vulnerable populations. In 2025, the Center recorded nearly 84,000 patient visits and recently completed a major expansion project designed to support up to 100,000 visits annually. The expansion added new clinical space and enhanced patient resources to better meet the growing healthcare needs of the community while helping address social factors that can impact long-term health outcomes.

Services and resources available through Saint Peter's Family Health Center include:

1. - Adult primary and specialty care
2. - Behavioral health services
3. - Nutrition education and healthy food access, along with diabetes care
4. - Onsite laboratory services
5. - Pediatric primary and specialty care
6. - Social determinants of health screening and resource support services
7. - Women's health and OB/GYN services

A key component of the Family Health Center is The Market at Saint Peter's, a client-choice food-by-prescription program that helps eligible patients access nutritious foods as part of their care plan. The Market was created to address food insecurity, which can significantly affect chronic disease management, overall wellness, and quality of life. The program currently serves approximately 80 patients each month and provides access to fresh produce, nonperishable food items, and essential personal care items, including diapers, wipes, baby care supplies, and hygiene products.

"At Saint Peter's, we understand that improving health goes beyond treating illness and that oftentimes, one's zip code plays a more important role in their health than their genetic code," said Alma Ratcliffe, MD, vice president and chief clinical transformation officer at Saint Peter's Healthcare System. "Rooted in our Catholic mission, we are committed to expanding access to care and connecting patients with supportive services and nutritious food to help address the everyday challenges that impact health. This recognition from the Middlesex County Regional Chamber of Commerce reflects our continued commitment to compassionate, coordinated care for the communities we serve."

The Market at Saint Peter's works with community partners to collect and distribute donated food and essential items to patients in need. Through its dedicated outreach efforts, including a van used to gather donations, The Market helps strengthen access to nutritious foods and resources that support healthier lives.

Through its integrated care model, Saint Peter's works to address both medical and non-medical needs that affect patient health, including transportation barriers, nutrition, education, and access to care. The organization has also implemented innovative screening tools to help identify patients who may benefit from additional assistance and support services.

The Chamber recognition comes as Saint Peter's Family Health Center prepares to host its Back to School and Back to Work eventonThursday, August 6, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.at 123 How Lane in New Brunswick.
Participants at the event will be able to learn more about the Family Health Center's array of services in addition to connecting with local resources and social services. An added benefit will be the opportunity to speak with onsite representatives about current job openings at Saint Peter's and preparing for a new job. The event offers something for all ages and will include activities for kids, plus giveaways such as school supplies and backpacks.

To learn more about Saint Peter's Family Health Center, visit saintpetershcs.com/FHC.

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About Saint Peter's University Hospital
Saint Peter's University Hospital, a member of Saint Peter's Healthcare System, is a 478-bed acute-care teaching hospital sponsored by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Metuchen. Saint Peter's, which received its seventh consecutive designation as a Magnet® hospital for nursing excellence from the American Nurses Credentialing Center in 2025, and its first Magnet with Distinction®, is also a state-designated children's hospital and regional perinatal center, and a regional specialist in diabetes, gastroenterology, head and neck surgery, oncology, orthopedics, and women's services. Saint Peter's has Advanced Certification in Perinatal Care and Level IV Maternal Levels of Care Verification from the Joint Commission. Saint Peter's is the recipient of the Beacon Award for Excellence from the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses for the adult intensive care unit, neonatal intensive care unit, cardiac progressive care unit and the pediatric intensive care unit. Saint Peter's Children's Hospital provides families with access to a full range of pediatric specialties, including a nationally recognized Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, pediatric cardiology, pediatric surgery and orthopedic surgery featuring innovative anterior scoliosis correction. The hospital has the state's only hospital-based, midwifery-led birth center - the Mary V. O'Shea Birth Center, accredited by the Commission for the Accreditation of Birth Centers. Saint Peter's is a sponsor of residency programs in obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, and internal medicine, and is a major clinical affiliate of Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences. Visit saintpetershcs.com or call 732.745.8600.