New Jersey is consistently at the forefront of medical advancements and holistic well-being, proving once again why it’s a leader in the health and fitness landscape. From groundbreaking medical facilities to innovative therapy programs and vital policy changes, our state is committed to enhancing the lives of its residents. Let’s dive into some of the exciting developments shaping the future of health in New Jersey.
Cooper Health’s Moorestown Campus: A Gift to the Community’s Health
South Jersey is celebrating a significant milestone in healthcare accessibility with the continuous expansion of Cooper University Health Care’s Moorestown campus. This impressive $150 million outpatient facility, which first opened its doors in November 2023 and saw its second phase debut just this month, June 2024, is already making a profound impact.
On June 16th, a truly special moment occurred as Cooper Health and The Cooper Foundation hosted a naming ceremony for The Dan & Lisa Falasca Welcome Center at the Moorestown Mall location. This designation comes as a result of a “significant” philanthropic gift from Daniel Falasca Jr., founder and president of Falasca Mechanical Inc., and his wife, Lisa. This generous, undisclosed contribution marks the first major philanthropic investment in the Moorestown site, underscoring a deep commitment to the future of regional healthcare.
As George Norcross III, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Cooper University Health Care, emphasized, the Falascas’ vision and generosity are “shaping the future of health care delivery in our region.” This substantial support is a testament to the community’s confidence in Cooper Health’s mission to provide exceptional care.
Located on the site of a former Sears store that closed in 2020, this expansive 166,000-square-foot, three-story facility now boasts over 25 medical specialties and a wide array of services. It brings comprehensive, cutting-edge healthcare closer to home for thousands of patients. This exciting development in Moorestown complements Cooper Health’s monumental $3 billion expansion of its Camden campus, which broke ground in January, showcasing their dedication to growth and innovation across the region.
Innovative Recovery at Cherrydale Health and Rehabilitation
In the realm of rehabilitation, Cherrydale Health and Rehabilitation Center is making waves with its innovative approach to recovery, particularly for patients requiring tracheostomy care. Since opening its doors to the local healthcare and community, Cherrydale has been at the forefront of providing specialized, comprehensive support.
Tracheostomy recovery requires meticulous and advanced care, and Cherrydale’s programs are designed to optimize outcomes and enhance patient quality of life. Their commitment to integrating innovative therapies and personalized care plans ensures that individuals on this challenging recovery journey receive the highest level of support. This dedication to specialized care highlights New Jersey’s commitment to diverse and high-quality rehabilitation services, helping patients regain their independence and well-being. For more on how New Jersey is supporting healthier lives, explore our comprehensive Fitness & Health resources.
Epiphany Wellness Champions CBT for Mental Health
Mental health and addiction treatment continue to be critical areas of focus, and Epiphany Wellness, a leading center based in Blackwood, New Jersey, is proud to spotlight the effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Epiphany Wellness emphasizes CBT as a powerful tool in treating Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and co-occurring disorders, offering hope and tangible strategies for recovery.
CBT is a widely recognized and evidence-based therapy that helps individuals identify and challenge unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors, leading to more positive coping mechanisms and improved mental well-being. By highlighting CBT, Epiphany Wellness reinforces New Jersey’s dedication to providing accessible and effective mental health solutions, empowering individuals on their path to healing and sustained wellness.
New Jersey’s Voice on Expediting Drug Development: The FDA’s Voucher Program
In a significant move impacting the future of pharmaceutical innovation, the HealthCare Institute of New Jersey (HINJ) has reacted positively to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) new national priority voucher plan, announced on June 17th. This ambitious program aims to dramatically reduce drug review times from an average of 10-12 months to a mere one to two months, a change that could bring life-saving treatments to patients much faster.
Chrissy Buteas, President and Chief Executive Officer of HINJ, expressed strong support on June 19th, stating that “Anything that can shorten a review period without compromising safety and efficacy means patients will benefit from new discoveries even sooner.” This sentiment resonates deeply with New Jersey’s robust life sciences industry, which is a global leader in pharmaceutical research and development.
In its initial year, the FDA plans to offer a limited number of these valuable vouchers to companies whose efforts align with critical U.S. national priorities. These priorities include addressing health crises, delivering innovative cures, meeting unmet public health needs, and bolstering domestic drug manufacturing for national security. FDA Commissioner Marty Makary highlighted the “common-sense approach” of the program, which allows companies to submit the majority of their drug application before a clinical trial is complete, streamlining the process and reducing inefficiencies.
The new voucher process streamlines the review by bringing together experts from various FDA offices for a collaborative, team-based assessment, rather than the traditional sequential review. As Buteas noted, “Researching and discovering a new treatment or cure can take a decade or longer and cost billions of dollars. The most important priority is to ensure a product is safe and effective for patients.” New Jersey’s healthcare companies remain committed to partnering with the FDA and other stakeholders to deliver safe and effective treatments to patients as quickly as possible.
These developments across medical facilities, rehabilitation services, mental health treatment, and pharmaceutical policy underscore New Jersey’s unwavering commitment to leading the way in health and wellness. Our state continues to innovate, collaborate, and invest in solutions that truly make a difference in people’s lives.