New Location, Services Featured At Red Bank VNA

RED BANK, NJ — A new VNA community health center in the heart of downtown Red Bank is now open for business.

The Visiting Nurse Association of Central Jersey's Community Health Center opened its 4,800-square-foot space on Tuesday, Dec. 27.

The location at 64-66 Bridge Ave., right across from The Rail complex at the train station, is in a two-story retail building situated close to downtown Red Bank. The site is owned by Denholtz Properties, a real estate development and investment company.

The new location will be closer to Red Bank’s downtown area and train station than its now former office at 188 E. Bergen Place, said Natasha Alagarasan, a VNA spokesperson.

The Red Bank site is in addition to existing VNA locations in Asbury Park, Freehold and Keyport, she added.

"We have expanded services in the heart of downtown," she said, both walkable for Red Bank residents and close to the train station for those using public transportation.

The new site offers affordable services, including dental care, as well as expanded primary care services, chiropractic, behavioral and mental health care services, according to a news release from VNA.

Patients with previously scheduled appointments at VNACJ’s former location will be contacted with more information for their appointments, Alagarasan said.

The location’s downtown proximity will also enable the VNACJ to work more closely with partner organizations such as JBJ Soul Kitchen, Lunch Break, the Red Bank Family YMCA and St. Anthony’s Church, the VNA said.

“We are excited for the new opportunities that this larger, more accessible space will present for the Community Health Center,” said Christopher Rinn, CEO of the VNA of Central Jersey Community Health Center.

“Accessibility is a central part of our mission and values, which is why it is so important for us to ensure that our location or office size is never a deterrent to care. We look forward to more opportunities to provide our comprehensive, high-quality, and affordable services while continuing to serve as a pillar of health care for all Red Bank residents,” Rinn said.

A number of officials, including the governor, and healthcare experts praised the expansion.

“By expanding the services they offer and relocating their center to the heart of downtown Red Bank across from a regional train station, the Visiting Nurse Association of Central Jersey is improving accessibility of care on behalf of the individuals who need it most. I applaud VNACJ for their ongoing efforts to bring critical health care services to underserved communities in our state,” said Gov. Phil Murphy in the statement.

“Providing easy, affordable access to quality health care within a community leads to better health outcomes for its residents. It’s also at the very heart of public health efforts,” said New Jersey Health Commissioner Judith M. Persichilli.

“The VNACJ Community Health Center in Red Bank provides a wide range of necessary, affordable and quality health services to sick and suffering patients in our community,” said Rep. Chris Smith. The VNA statement said Smith "championed and secured" $400,000 in federal support to help complete the project.

Monmouth County Commissioner Director Thomas A. Arnone said: “This new facility will continue to expand access to care for County residents and we look forward to continuing to work with the VNACJ CHC on future endeavors."

State Sen. Vin Gopal said the VNA "provides essential and indispensable support to residents across New Jersey, and now Red Bank residents will be able to take advantage of that care right in their backyards. Thank you to Mayor Menna, Christopher Rinn, and Steve Denholtz for working together to provide access to care. "

Red Bank Mayor Pasquale Menna added, “From day one, Steven Denholtz and the Denholtz Properties team have been a transformative force for positive change in our local community. We thank them for their significant investments in housing, economic growth, community programs, and, now, healthcare, and are looking forward to working with them in the years to come."

Jenna Vaccaro, board chairperson of VNACJ, said "We look forward to supporting VNACJ and its mission of building healthy communities."

Denholtz Properties, with Red Bank connections since 2019, "has been driven by a desire to make a powerful impact in the community that we call home,” said CEO Steven Denholtz in the statement.

“We are excited to welcome the Visiting Nurse Association of Central Jersey Community Health Center to our Bridge Avenue property to help them to continue to bring important community-focused healthcare to the Red Bank community for years to come.”

Beginning with its first community health center in Asbury Park in 1994, the Visiting Nurse Association of Central Jersey has "significantly expanded its service offerings to encompass a range of care, including primary care, prenatal care, HIV/AIDS services, behavioral care, dentistry, podiatry and chiropractic care offered out of locations in Asbury Park, Freehold, Keyport and Red Bank," the news statement said.

For more information about the VNACJ CHC, visit www.vnachc.org.