The Joint Health Science Center in Camden was awarded a $500,000 grant from the federal government to invest in laboratory and training equipment for nursing and medical students. The grant is part of $4.3 million total going to various organizations across Camden County.

The Joint Science Center plans to use this funding to purchase a super-resolution microscope and simulation equipment, both of which are instrumental to the center’s medical research and will aid in preparing medical and nursing students for their careers in the healthcare field.

“Receiving this $500,000 grant is a game-changer when it comes to our mission here at the Joint Health Sciences Center, which is to advance the education of health care professionals, workforce development, and medical research,” said Dana Redd, chief executive officer of the Rowan University Rutgers-Camden Board of Governors. “The employment demand over the next 10 years is forecasted to be centered around health care, which provides us with a unique opportunity to educate and train the next generation of nurses, doctors, and medical professionals right here in Camden City. We are so grateful to Congressman Donald Norcross for choosing to invest in the future of health care.”

Congressman Donald Norcross, who helped secure the funding, noted the importance of these investments.

“South Jersey voters sent me to Congress to fight for working families, and I am very proud today to announce over $4.3 million in federal investments that will do exactly that,” Norcross said. “These community projects run the gamut between helping to reduce food insecurity to monitoring illegal dumping. What these varied projects have in common is simple: they will improve the health and quality of life for South Jersey families.”

Dan Hart, executive vice chancellor and provost at Rutgers University Camden, discussed how the Joint Health Science Center will benefit from the grant.

“We are extremely grateful that the Joint Health Science Center was chosen to receive this funding as it will aid us in strengthening the connections among communities and public health institutions throughout our region,” said Dan Hart “By boosting these connections, we will in turn promote health equity across Camden County while improving the job market and health care field.”

Annette Reboli, dean of Cooper University Medical School, said the grant will positively impact South Jerseyans across the board.

“We are so appreciative of the efforts of Congressman Norcross to get funding that supports collaborative research and education between Rutgers Camden and Cooper Medical School of Rowan University at the Joint Health Sciences Center in Camden,” Reboli said. “This federal grant award will provide capital equipment such as a super-resolution microscope to advance medical research and simulation equipment for education of medical and nursing students, residents and faculty. Ultimately, the citizens of our South Jersey community will benefit from the advances of knowledge in medicine, nursing, public health, and population health and the advances in biomedical research that improve health outcomes and promote health equity.”

David Mayer, chairman of the Rowan University Rutgers-Camden Board of Governors, discussed how the grant will benefit students and regional health care.

“With this grant, the Joint Science Center can continue educating future nurses and doctors with top of the line equipment that will prepare students for their careers after graduation,” Mayer said. “We are overjoyed and so thankful that Congressman Norcross and his colleagues see the value of the work we do here at the center and for choosing to prioritize the advancement of quality health care here in the South Jersey region.”