It’s Sunday morning, and the CarePoint Health Mobile Medical van pulls up to its designated parking space outside the Bayonne Senior Center. The seniors step on board one at a time, to get their blood pressure taken, cholesterol checked, and even their memory screened.
“These screenings are a key tool in keeping our seniors active and healthy,” said the director of the center, Ralph Savo. “I don’t know what we would do without them.”
CarePoint Health has released its “CarePoint Cares” report outlining the system’s work in the community. With an annual budget in the hundreds of thousands, the social responsibility work of CarePoint Health is having real tangible impact on the residents of Hudson County, like the ShapeDown program that helps at risk families learn health nutrition habits and prevent diabetes and heart disease.
With a focus on population health and caring for the most vulnerable of Hudson County’s residents, CarePoint Health also sponsors a variety of programs, from Sexual Assault prevention and counseling to substance abuse support. The system also has a robust program to care for veterans and active duty military members and their dependents by accepting veterans and Tricare benefits, as well.
“As members of the Hudson County Community it is important for us to help address community need wherever and whenever we can,” said CarePoint Health CEO Jeff Mandler. “We believe that as the largest private employer in Hudson County we have a duty to contribute across the board to help the county prosper.”
CarePoint Health has also invested heavily in the youth of Hudson County, sponsoring programs in the Bayonne, Hoboken, and Jersey City school districts. The programs range from STEM education to education on healthy eating habits, to prevention of diabetes and other diseases.
The system has invested both in funds and volunteer hours to organizations that support those suffering with Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, heart disease, arthritis, diabetes, visual impairment, and organ donation.
Additionally, the system has supported the organizations that reflect our diverse county, such as Save Latin America, the National Council on Jewish Women, the Jersey City Youth Foundation, and the Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
CarePoint Health operates Neighborhood Health Centers at all three of its hospitals. These Centers provide primary and specialty care for patients regardless of their ability to pay.
The “CarePoint Cares” report will be published regularly and provide an update on the activities of CarePoint Health in the community and is available to view at https://www.carepointhealth.org/images/2016_uploads/CarePoint_Cares-Report-web.pdf .