Press Release 10/11/22
NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ – Middlesex County’s Latino Telehealth Program, a community-based initiative geared towards education and increasing access to bilingual telemedicine options, has expanded to serve New Brunswick after successfully launching in Perth Amboy a year ago. In partnership with New Brunswick Tomorrow — a nonprofit that has driven social revitalization for the city of New Brunswick for more than 40 years — the Telehealth Program increases access to healthcare to the uninsured and underinsured residents of Middlesex County via telehealth healthcare programs.
In addition to welcoming New Brunswick Tomorrow as the newest partner to the Latino Telehealth Program, County officials announced that two new offsite hubs will be added to the program at the New Brunswick Free Public Library and New Brunswick Housing Authority. The announcement was officially made to the public today, October 11 in a press conference held at the New Brunswick Housing Authority.
Sharing the significance of this partnership and the positive impact it will have on the New Brunswick community, speakers included New Jersey Assemblywoman Yvonne Lopez; Middlesex County Commissioner Director Ronald G. Rios; Middlesex County Commissioner Claribel Azcona-Barber; New Brunswick Mayor James M. Cahill; Jaymie Santiago, President of New Brunswick Tomorrow, Director of Program Operations; and Manuel Castaneda, New Brunswick Tomorrow, Director of Community Health.
“An initiative like the Telehealth Program cannot succeed without the support of trusted partners – especially partners who already have the trust of the people in their community. We are fortunate to have the Raritan Bay YMCA as our partner in Perth Amboy, where the success of the Telehealth Program is directly related to their hard work, dedication, and expertise – and of course their existing relationships in the community. We are equally fortunate to have New Brunswick Tomorrow as our partner here in New Brunswick,” said Middlesex County Commissioner Director Ronald G. Rios. “On behalf of myself and my colleagues on the Board of County Commissioners, I thank New Brunswick Tomorrow for joining us in this initiative. I look forward to working together to help ensure every Middlesex County resident has access to healthcare.”
“For more than 40 years, New Brunswick Tomorrow has been a devoted advocate on behalf of the people of New Brunswick. They have worked hard to address the social and economic issues that affect city residents, and in doing so they have forged connections and relationships with members of the community,” said Middlesex County Commissioner Claribel Azcona-Barber. “Those connections and relationships will be invaluable as we expand the County’s Telehealth Program into New Brunswick’s many neighborhoods. I look forward to working with New Brunswick Tomorrow on what I’m certain will be a successful initiative and make a tremendous difference in the lives of so many New Brunswick resident.”
“Telehealth is the future of healthcare and I am encouraged by the results that the Middlesex County Latino Telehealth Pilot Program has achieved in uniting healthcare providers and community based organizations to increase awareness among the community and hopefully encourage patients to use a service that is safe, convenient, and confidential. Middlesex County embraces innovation at every level and I am proud to be a part of this amazing program and excited by the news of the program’s expansion into New Brunswick,” said Assemblywoman Yvonne Lopez.
“Uniting communities has always been our priority; to unite them under the umbrella of access to quality healthcare is yet another major step forward for New Brunswick. I thank Middlesex County and New Brunswick Tomorrow for making this a reality,” said New Brunswick Mayor Jim Cahill. “We are all familiar with the old adage ‘An apple a day keeps the doctor away’. Now with these new telehealth options a reality in New Brunswick, an Apple (or an Android) is another new method of connecting to a world of healthcare options.”
“Access to healthcare is a critical component for achieving equitable cities and, ultimately, a high quality of life. And, while this has historically been a complex issue, together with County and Municipal leadership, we will gather learnings around virtual and digital telehealth platforms to step forward toward new and innovative health care strategies for creating a healthier community in New Brunswick, NJ,” said Jaymie Santiago, President of New Brunswick Tomorrow, Director of Program Operations.
Leveraging New Brunswick Tomorrow’s existing relationships with the community, this partnership will create opportunities for preventative and specialized healthcare services to all Middlesex County residents. In addition to healthcare benefits, the telehealth hubs will offer free internet, tech assistance, and bilingual staff and translators at physical locations, or hubs, to maximize assistance.
For more information about the Latino Telehealth Pilot Program and additional resources, please visit: https://www.middlesexcountynj.gov/find-programs-and-resources/community-health/telehealth.
