Rutgers officials at the groundbreaking included Dr. Vicente Gracias, senior vice chancellor for clinical affairs and vice president for health affairs, Rutgers University; Dr. Julie Blumenfeld, clinical associate professor and nurse-midwifery program director at Rutgers School of Nursing; Board of Governors Chair Amy Towers; and Dr. Angela Starkweather, dean and professor, Rutgers School of Nursing.

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Rutgers School of Nursing School to lead workforce training and research at new statewide hub for equitable care

Rutgers officials, in a historic moment, joined Gov. Phil Murphy, First Lady Tammy Murphy, and other state and community partners on July 22 to break ground on New Jersey’s $86.7 million Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Center in Trenton—a first-of-its-kind facility that will serve as the state’s flagship hub for advancing equitable maternal and infant health care across Trenton and the nation. The new center will be located in the heart of Trenton at the southwest corner of Pennington Avenue and Warren Street.

As the cornerstone of First Lady Murphy’s Nurture NJ initiative to eliminate racial disparities and improve outcomes for mothers and babies, the facility will bring together clinical services, workforce development, social supports, and innovation under one roof.

Rutgers is one of three anchor institutions for the Center, alongside Capital Health and the Trenton Health Team. Julie Blumenfeld (DNP, CNM, FACNM, FAAN), clinical associate professor and nurse-midwifery program director at Rutgers School of Nursing and a nationally recognized advocate for maternal-child health, will oversee Rutgers’ initiatives as the education-focused anchor.

Rutgers School of Nursing will lead the Center’s work in academic training, research, and workforce development in partnership with Mercer County Community College, Stockton University, The College of New Jersey, and Thomas Edison State University. Princeton University is expected to join later to support future research and policy efforts. The Center’s steering committee includes faculty from Rutgers’ School of Nursing and Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.

Capital Health, another anchor partner, will provide OB/GYN, pediatric, behavioral health, and doula services. The Trenton Health Team will deliver wraparound services and address social determinants of health.

Rutgers University President William F. Tate IV said, “Rutgers is excited to partner with the state in advancing the health of mothers and infants across New Jersey. This Center reflects how Rutgers’ innovative research and hands-on health care training are tackling health disparities and strengthening communities statewide.”

Angela R. Starkweather (PhD, ACNP-BC, FAANP, FAAN), dean and professor, Rutgers School of Nursing, said, “We are deeply inspired by the visionary leadership of First Lady Tammy Murphy and Dr. Julie Blumenfeld, whose commitment has shaped a comprehensive, statewide approach to advancing the health and well-being of women and children.”

In addition to Starkweather and Blumenfeld, Rutgers representatives at the groundbreaking included Board of Governors Chair Amy Towers and Vicente Gracias (MD), senior vice chancellor for clinical affairs and vice president for health affairs, Rutgers University, who both lifted shovels for the occasion.

“Today’s groundbreaking takes us one step closer to opening the Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Center, which will serve as a unique and pioneering hub dedicated to creating innovative solutions for the maternal health crisis while tackling health care disparities once and for all,” said Gov. Phil Murphy at the event.

“This is a transformational day for every mother and baby who deserves a safe, healthy, and strong start in life,” said First Lady Tammy Murphy. “This Center will deliver care and collaboration like never before. It will save lives, raise standards, and show what’s possible when equity leads. And with the nation’s first Strategic Innovation Center dedicated to maternal and infant health, we’re not waiting for change—we’re creating it right here.”

For more information on the groundbreaking and the Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Center, see the New Jersey Governor’s Office news release.