RWJBarnabas Health Recovery Day Held System-wide on September 27 in Recognition of Recovery Month

In recognition of National Recovery Month, RWJBarnabas Health was proud to recognize September 27 as RWJBarnabas Health Recovery Day to raise awareness about substance use disorders, reduce the stigma of the disease, and to celebrate the success of the Opioid Overdose Recovery Program (OORP). Recovery Month is an annual celebration sponsored each September by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) designed to provide a platform to educate the public on substance use disorder and to demonstrate that recovery is possible.

On Wednesday, September 27, hospitals in the system were lit up in purple and staff members wore purple to celebrate those in recovery. Additionally, there was information tables in all RWJBarnabas Health facilities with recovery specialists onsite to provide employees with information on the Opioid Overdose Recovery Program. The Opioid Overdose Recovery Program is a grant funded initiative that links individuals reversed with Narcan during an opioid overdose and then admitted to select emergency departments to recovery support services and substance use disorder treatment.

Since the RWJBarnabas Health Opioid Overdose Recovery Program launch in 2016, the program has implemented over 1,600 interventions, saving numerous lives from the immediate and long-lasting effects of substance use disorder. Of those, about 50% accepted detox, substance use disorder treatment and/or recovery support services. Additionally, the stigma surrounding substance use disorder has dramatically changed since the launch of Opioid Overdose Recovery Program. Implementation of Opioid Overdose Recovery Program has resulted in a cultural shift in emergency departments that now embraces people suffering from substance use disorder and works with the individuals to enter treatment with the ultimate goal of recovery.

“Recovery Day is an opportunity not only to increase understanding of substance use disorders, but to honor those who recover and to celebrate recovery successes in the Opioid Overdose Recovery Program,” said Connie Greene, VP of RWJBarnabas Health Institute for Prevention. “Prior to the program, those suffering from substance use disorder were trapped in a cycle of repeated drug use and may not have received comprehensive recovery support services. We’re proud to recognize the positive changes RWJBarnabas Health has brought throughout the entire continuum of care – from prevention, to treatment, and recovery support.”

The RWJBarnabas Health Opioid Overdose Recovery Program now serves one-third of New Jersey through programs in seven of New Jersey’s 21 counties, including: Hudson, Essex, Union, Somerset, Middlesex, Monmouth, and Ocean.

The RWJBarnabas Health OORP is available in the following facilities: Jersey City Medical Center, RWJBarnabas Health at Bayonne, Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, Clara Mass Medical Center, Saint Barnabas Medical Center, RWUH-Somerset, RWJUH-Rahway, RWJUH New Brunswick, Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch, Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus in Lakewood, CentraState Medical Center, Bayshore Medical Center, Jersey Shore Medical Center, Ocean Medical Center, and Community Medical Center in Toms River.

For further information about the OORP, please call RWJBarnabas Health Institute for Prevention at 732-914-3815.

About RWJBarnabas Health
RWJBarnabas Health is the most comprehensive health care delivery system in New Jersey, caring for a service area of more than five million residents. The system includes eleven acute care hospitals – Clara Maass Medical Center in Belleville, Community Medical Center in Toms River, Jersey City Medical Center in Jersey City, Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch, Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus in Lakewood, Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in Newark, RWJUH-New Brunswick, RWJUH-Somerset, RWJUH-Hamilton, RWJUH-Rahway and Saint Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston; three acute care children’s hospitals and a leading pediatric rehabilitation hospital (Children’s Specialized Hospital), a freestanding 100-bed behavioral health Center, ambulatory care centers, geriatric centers, the state’s largest behavioral health network, comprehensive home care and hospice programs, fitness and wellness centers, retail pharmacy services, a medical group, multi-site imaging centers and two accountable care organizations.

RWJBarnabas Health is New Jersey’s second largest private employer – with more than 32,500 employees, 9,000 physicians and 1,000 residents and interns – and routinely captures national awards for its outstanding quality and safety.

Photo caption 1: L to R: Patrick Delaney, vice president, operations; John DiLeo, director, finance operations;, Lynn Kearney, vice president, nursing; Dr. Salvatore Moffa, chief medical officer; Tony Cava, president; Jordan Jackson, financial analyst; and Kathleen Roberts, director, marketing and public relations. RWJUH Somerset was recently selected to participate in RWJBarnabas Health’s Opioid Overdose Recovery Program, a grant funded initiative that links individuals reversed with Narcan during an opioid overdose and then admitted to the emergency department with recovery support services and substance use disorder treatment. They plan to officially launch the program in mid-October.

Photo caption 2: Cindy Zapa, Unit Clerk, Discharge Hospitality Suite, RWJUH New Brunswick celebrates Recovery Day in purple.

Photo caption 3: Jack Jegou, Food and Nutrition Services, RWJUH New Brunswick celebrates Recovery Day in purple.

Photo caption 4: Information table volunteers at RWJUH New Brunswick, from L to R: Jenna Bonstein, Prevention Specialist, Wellspring Center For Prevention; Mara Carlin, Coalition Coordinator for the Coalition for Healthy Communities; Ted Jackson, RWJBarnabas Health Institute for Prevention Recovery Specialist.