Montclair State University and Montclair Township Launch New Jersey’s First Academic Health Department

Montclair State University’s Department of Public Health and the Township of Montclair’s Department of Health & Human Services have announced a groundbreaking partnership, forming New Jersey’s first Academic Health Department.

This first-of-its-kind initiative in the state connects Montclair students with real-world public health experiences, while the Township benefits from academic research and innovative health solutions. The new Department was recently celebrated by Montclair President Jonathan Koppell, Montclair Township Mayor Renee Baskerville and other University and Township officials at an on-campus event attended by faculty, students and community partners.

Led by Montclair Township Health Officer Amy Monaco and University Department of Public Health Chairperson Lisa Lieberman, officials said they were happy to see it come to fruition.

“This partnership represents a significant step forward in advancing public health education and community health initiatives,” said Koppell. “By aligning the strengths of our faculty and students with the real-world challenges faced by the Township’s Health Department, we can foster a more resilient, well-equipped public health workforce.”

Mayor Baskerville, a former physician who worked in public health, said she was thrilled to support the partnership, noting that it takes “special people” to work in the field, many of whom consider it a calling. “I’ve seen firsthand the critical role the Public Health Department plays in determining the well-being of its residents, especially those that are underserved,” she said. “I look forward to strengthening and expanding this initiative.”

How the Academic Health Department Partnership Will Work

The Academic Health Department model integrates academic research, service learning and community health efforts to strengthen both organizations’ missions. Key components include:

• Student involvement in internships, service-learning projects and research initiatives.
• Joint research activities benefiting both the University and the Township.
• Continuing education programs for Township health officials.
• Seminars, symposia, and academic conferences to advance public health knowledge.
• Exchange of research and educational materials and best practices for ongoing health improvements.

“This experience was one of the most impactful course activities in really shaping my understanding of public health work.” ~ Master of Public Heath student Bhumi Patel

Public Health Students Making a Difference

Montclair students are already engaging in vital public health work. Bhumi Patel, a Public Health graduate student, said that she and fellow students were able to work with Montclair Township on two important projects:

• Aging in Place Initiative: During her internship, Public Health student Patel worked on developed outreach materials for seniors interested in fostering pets through a Better Cities for Pets grant titled Montclair Seniors and Pets Healthy Living Initiative awarded to the Township Animal Shelter. Current intern Veronica Paniagua is creating a formal volunteer program after developing materials, doing outreach, collecting data and researching hospital volunteer programs — all with the goal of promoting the many health benefits of keeping Montclair senior citizens in their communities and homes.
• Opioid Awareness Program: Patel and her peers surveyed local businesses about opioid misuse and provided life-saving Narcan education, sharing their findings with the Montclair Health Department and the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey.

“We were able to engage in an important public health partnership that would ensure that our data and our recommendations would be best used to benefit the community,” Patel said. “We hope that this new partnership will inspire more collaborations in the future because connecting academic institutions with local health departments is really the crux of the Academic Health Department concept, so that we can better address critical public health challenges.”

Montclair’s Growing Role in Community Health

The Academic Health Department is the latest in a series of Montclair State University’s collaborative partnerships with Montclair Township, including:

• The School of Nursing’s partnership with Mountainside Medical Center.
• Student volunteer projects in local food pantries, Montclair Community Farms and other non-profit organizations.
• Initiatives at the Montclair Public Library and Montclair History Center.

Koppell said that success requires broad partnerships and that “public health and health administration have been popular degrees as the sector grows, and we are responsive to what students and employers are looking for.”

Formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding, the partnership further solidifies the University’s role as a public-serving institution.

“Serving our students cannot stop at the campus borders,” Koppell said. “We aim to provide transformational opportunities for our students, preparing them as leaders who serve the public interest. We can help develop innovative ways to contribute to the health and well-being of New Jersey and our local communities.”

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