Local Hospitals Collaborate To Drive Social Impact Through Community Health
Initiatives
By Marc Sheforgen
Three local hospitals — Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton (RWJUH
Hamilton), an RWJBarnabas Health facility, Capital Health and Penn Medicine Princeton Health —
recently completed the 2024 Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA), a comprehensive survey that
identifies the most pressing health issues in Mercer County and forms the foundation for strategic
initiatives to address them.
The findings not only reveal critical areas of need but also underscore the importance of community
partnerships and the holistic approach these hospitals are taking to improve the overall well-being of
residents.
The 2024 CHNA revealed that addressing health needs requires more than just medical interventions. Key
priorities identified across the hospitals include mental health, food insecurity, access to care and
chronic disease management.
“These areas of focus go beyond traditional healthcare,” said Suzanne Borgos, Chief
Strategy Officer at Capital Health. “The things our communities are most in need of now, not one
provider can address alone. That is why it’s so very important that these health assessments are
done with a multidisciplinary approach. Because if we don’t all bring our areas of expertise to
the table, I don’t think we’ll be as successful as we need to be.”
Distinct Yet Collaborative Efforts
Through the Greater Mercer Public Health Partnership, RWJUH Hamilton and Capital Health worked together
to conduct the CHNA. This collaborative effort engaged diverse stakeholders across the region, including
healthcare providers, local governments, nonprofit organizations and community members.
While Penn Medicine Princeton Health conducted its own separate assessment to address its broader
service area spanning three counties, its findings contribute to a shared understanding of community
health priorities.
“We are deeply invested in this endeavor because it represents a vital opportunity to address the
critical health needs of our community,” said Deborah Millar, RN, Director of Community Wellness
and Engagement at Penn Medicine Princeton Health. “The importance of this work cannot be
overstated. By collaborating across healthcare organizations and engaging with community leaders, we can
develop comprehensive strategies that genuinely meet the multifaceted needs of our residents. This
collective effort is fundamental to creating meaningful, sustainable change in our community.”
Diane Grillo, Vice President of Health Promotion at RWJUH Hamilton, emphasized that not only is a
collaborative effort important, but it’s critical that the needs of the entire community,
including those populations that are traditionally underserved, are addressed.
“We took a deeper dive with this assessment to ensure diverse populations were
represented,” Grillo said. “That was our goal, to really look through that lens of health
equity. It was a very robust process.”
Social Impact: A Healthy Community Extends Beyond Physical Well-being
The collaborative nature of the CHNA process is a cornerstone of its success. By working together,
these hospitals are better equipped to tackle systemic issues and implement solutions that have lasting
social impact.
Grillo noted the cascading effect that the efforts stemming from the CHNA have. Healthier individuals
mean fewer missed workdays, greater economic productivity and stronger, more resilient communities.
“And it really helps us more effectively allocate healthcare resources, which leads not just to
better care but even reduced costs,” she said.
Grillo also said that hospitals like RWJUH Hamilton share the assessment data with smaller community
stakeholders who wouldn’t otherwise have the means of accessing such comprehensive findings.
“We share this data with nonprofit agencies and community leaders to help them better understand
and address the needs of Mercer County,” Grillo said. “That’s a gift for the
community. That collaboration, that partnership, that sharing of resources, that’s what makes a
community vital and vibrant.”
Looking Ahead
As the hospitals transition from assessment to action, they are leveraging their findings to shape
their Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP). This plan will guide initiatives aimed at improving
access to care, reducing health disparities and fostering a healthier community.
“This assessment serves as a powerful reminder that tackling the health challenges we face today
requires a shared responsibility,” Millar explained. “By bringing together hospitals,
community leaders and local organizations, we are collectively advancing the health and well-being of
our communities. The strength lies in our ability to combine expertise and resources to address the
complex, multifaceted issues that no single entity can solve alone.“
The upcoming Princeton Mercer Regional Chamber’s Regional Healthcare Symposium in May will
provide a platform to share these findings and foster broader community engagement.
“It’s our responsibility as the healthcare leaders to engage that greater community outside
of typical healthcare providers,” Borgos said. “These are complex challenges, so it takes a
very well-coordinated response.”
These three hospitals are leading the charge for a commitment to collaboration and holistic care.
Together, they are building a healthier, more equitable future for Mercer County.
“The work we are doing is deeply impactful and requires continuous intellectual
engagement,” Millar said. “Our team is committed to not just identifying the priorities
through the Community Health Needs Assessment but ensuring that we follow through with actionable,
evidence-based plans. As we transition into the Community Health Improvement Plan, we remain dedicated
to adapting and refining our strategies, ensuring that the collaboration continues to evolve and make a
lasting difference in our community’s health.”
