Anthony V. Coppola Vineland Daily Journal

VINELAND – The vision of pairing medicine and education to expand opportunities for students and residents here took another step forward Tuesday with a ceremonial groundbreaking of Rowan Medicine Center-Cumberland at the campus of Rowan College of South Jersey.

The project will help fulfill a goal of college leadership to create an “Eds/Meds corridor” along Route 55, linking Cumberland to other Rowan medicine sites in Glassboro and Sewell, as well as South Jersey hospitals.

The new medical facility, currently slated to open in the beginning of 2024, will focus on the health and well-being of children and families. Professionals and students alike will work and learn at the center.

The two-story, 17,300-square-foot building will be home to three clinical areas:

• Rowan Integrated Special Needs Center, where primary and behavioral health care services will be provided for individuals with physical, intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• Rowan Medicine’s NueroMusculoskeletal Institute, which will provide treatment for acute and chronic pain, in addition to medication and counseling to help patients recover from the chronic disease of addiction.
• Rowan Medicine’s Child Abuse Research Education and Service Institute, centered on providing help, compassion and hope for children who experienced abuse or trauma.

“As the state’s only osteopathic medical school, we take great pride in being able to provide high quality, team-based specialized services to our South Jersey neighbors who might not have access to this type of care,” Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine Dean Dr. Thomas Cavalieri said. “Our Rowan Medicine team looks forward to becoming part of the RCSJ community in Cumberland County, serving patients and partnering with them for healthier outcomes.”

New Jersey Senate President Steve Sweeney, a longtime proponent of this Cumberland venture, was in attendance for Tuesday’s ceremony.

Sweeney called it “not a good day, but a great day for Cumberland County.”

He said the medicine center will help certain populations here “get the attention they need” and lauded the partnership between RCSJ and Rowan University.

“I think we’ve really stepped up the game here,” Sweeney said. “Cumberland is a great, great community — they just need opportunities. The good news is investments are coming in and opportunities are going to happen.”

Rowan Medicine Center-Cumberland will also help achieve a mission of RCSJ leadership that moves students through an educational pipeline that keeps them in South Jersey and the Rowan network from start to finish.

RCSJ President Frederick Keating made scenarios like this a priority when named head of the college, particularly in trying to address preparing to students to fill job areas of need.

“Rowan College of South Jersey is steadfast in its commitment to build on the Eds, Meds, and Commerce promise we made to the community,” Keating said. “We have strong support for this project from respected regional organizations including the Rowan University/Rutgers-Camden Board of Governors. The College is proud to offer academic programs that align with our vision of providing students an opportunity for clinical experiences, through Rowan University, that will help enhance their prospects for future careers in the healthcare field.”