Rutgers University, Capital Health and Trenton Health Team have been named as anchor tenants to lead the Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Center (MIHIC) in Trenton. A total of $75 million in state and federal funds has been allocated to support the construction of the Center.
The three organizations will collaborate to provide services focused on addressing issues around maternal and infant health in Trenton and across New Jersey, including pre- and post-natal clinical services; education programs to cultivate the perinatal workforce; and social and wrap-around services.
The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) is developing the MIHIC in partnership with the Office of First Lady Tammy Murphy and the newly established Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Authority (MIHIA), which will oversee the MIHIC’s day-to-day operations long term.
The MIHIC will serve as a hub for New Jersey’s stakeholders dedicated to eliminating racial disparities and advancing maternal health equity in the state.
The NJEDA board approved Capital Health as the Lead Healthcare Clinical Services Provider, Rutgers University as the Lead Institution of Higher Education, and Trenton Health Team as the Lead Trenton-Based Multi-Service Organization.
Capital Health will offer clinical care to Trenton residents focused on maternal and infant wellbeing and health equity, as well as provide prenatal and postpartum care, newborn and pediatric care, mental and behavioral health care, doula and lactation services, telehealth services, and obstetrics and gynecology.
Trenton Health Team, a nonprofit that serves as one of the state’s four regional health hubs, will focus on providing services that directly impact social determinants of health such as food security, housing, and transportation.
Rutgers will provide a variety of services, including accredited degree programs, certification programs, non-degree programs, on-the-job training opportunities, student support services and maternal and infant health research. The School of Nursing, within Rutgers Health will lead the Higher Education Consortium at MIHIC, alongside Mercer County Community College, Stockton University, the College of New Jersey and Thomas Edison State University. Princeton University will collaborate in future research and policy endeavors.
“The ultimate priority of the Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Center is advocating for communities that have long-faced disparities in maternal and infant health outcomes due to lack of access to health care services,” said Lisa Asare, President and CEO of the MIHIA, in a statement. “The MIHIA board and I are excited to work alongside leading organizations that will provide quality health care services and education to residents who need it most. When we care for parents and infants, we give them the tools to live healthy, full lives.”
