Zufall Health receives $300,000 grant

Zufall Health is expanding its medication-assisted treatment (MAT) services with a $300,000 grant through the New Jersey Safety Net Innovation Program (NJ SNIP).

MAT, called the gold standard for treating opioid and alcohol use disorders, combines medication with counseling and behavioral health support.

The grant, awarded in late 2023, means that MAT services now are available at every Zufall Health medical site, supported by a dedicated MAT team.

In the first two years of the expanded MAT services, Zufall Health plans to serve 225 patients, an increase of more than 50 percent, while providing enhanced support for each patient.

Fran Palm, president and chief executive of Zufall Health, said that while its clinics have provided MAT services for several years, the infrastructure to sustain coordinated, comprehensive care previously was lacking.

“The NJSNIP grant allowed us to fully integrate a robust MAT program into our primary-care system,” she explained. “This brings life-saving treatment to patients within their own communities and reinforces the message that substance use disorders should be treated like any other chronic condition by your primary-care physician.”

One of the program’s patients was among those present at the announcement event Wednesday, Sept. 18. He said he is grateful for the care provided by Zufall Health family medicine physician Michael Ganon.

“Dr. Ganon is genuine and down-to-earth. He explained how MAT changes my brain chemistry to reduce cravings. That explanation and his continued support have given me so much hope - and saved my life. I can now be there for my daughter, and I’ve gotten my job back, too.”

NJSNIP is funded by the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation, an independent charitable organization, and managed by the Camden Coalition.

The program strengthens New Jersey’s health-care safety net and promotes health equity by offering flexible funding to address community and strategic capacity-building needs.

“Zufall Health’s MAT program has been a beacon of hope for people suffering from opioid and alcohol use disorders, and we are thrilled that more patients will benefit from their exceptional services through this grant from NJ SNIP,” said Catharine Grimes, president of the BMS Foundation.

“NJ SNIP empowers community-based organizations equipped to help medically underserved populations, and we are proud to provide funding for these unique and impactful programs.”

Zufall Health serves patients in seven counties throughout northern and central New Jersey.

For information, go online to zufallhealth.org