Zufall Health Physician Assistant Ben Kim, PA, checks a patient’s blood pressure at a homeless encampment (left) and winds down with the outreach team after a day of connecting with people recovering from addiction at Freedom Trail Community Wellness Center (right). “For me, this program is about more than providing medical care,” says Kim. “It’s about simultaneously addressing so many other parts of our patients’ lives that also need healing.” | |
Building Trust and Bringing Care Where It's Needed Most
New Jersey has seen a 36% surge in homelessness since 2018, with Somerset County experiencing the state’s second highest increase. This crisis severely impacts health, contributing to higher rates of chronic illness and reduced life expectancy. To mitigate these challenges, Zufall Health launched an innovative, first-of-its-kind program providing intensive case management, housing assistance, and medical care directly to people living in parks, tents, vacant buildings, and other inhabitable spaces in Somerset County.
"In affluent Somerset County, it’s easy to overlook homelessness, but it’s right here, in our own neighborhoods,” says Fran Palm, president and CEO. When we talk about equal opportunity for good health, this is exactly what we mean—making sure that everyone, no matter their circumstances, has access to the care they need."
| | To support initiatives like these improving the lives of our most vulnerable neighbors, please visit our website. | | | |
Eye Care In Focus
Vision care isn’t separate from primary care—it’s a critical part of it. At the May 1 opening of "In Focus: What the Eye Sees," the latest group exhibition in Zufall’s Arts in Health program, guests explored creative interpretations of sight and learned why access to eye care is essential. Offered only in Dover and provided by a single optometrist, vision care remains one of the most limited services at Zufall. For far too many patients, vision problems go undiagnosed due to cost, transportation, or other barriers—resulting in everyday challenges that affect learning, employment, and health. To meet growing needs, Zufall is working to expand vision services to other locations. Help us make this possible!
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Meet Your Provider: Maria Morales DNP, APN, FNP-C
From a young age, Zufall Health Nurse Practitioner Maria Morales DNP, APN, FNP-C, saw how health care could feel out of reach. After moving from Colombia to the U.S. at eight years old, she often translated for her mother during medical appointments, witnessing firsthand how language, insurance, and health literacy barriers interfere with access to care. That experience shaped her commitment to becoming a provider who helps patients navigate the same challenges her family once faced.
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Zufall and Network of Partners Combine Food Access and Health Services for Stronger Communities
Access to nutritious food is essential for good health and managing chronic conditions. Through SNAP-Ed, a federal-funded program promoting healthy eating on a limited budget, and a strong network of partnerships, Zufall Health provides nutrition education and food access to thousands of patients and local residents each year. Jane Harrington, RDN, director of Zufall SNAP-Ed, says these partnerships are mutually beneficial and also facilitate medical services at food distribution events, reaching people who might otherwise miss care. “Our shared goal is to ensure everyone has the resources they need,” she says.
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Raven Thanks Zufall for Access to Lifesaving Asthma Care
Raven has battled severe asthma since age two. After losing her job and health insurance in her early 20s, affording care became impossible—until she found Zufall Health. “I was grateful to find care that was exceptional and within my budget,” she says. With regular visits and medication adjustments from Ken Kinoshita, MD, and the team, Raven has kept her condition under control. Zufall also provided behavioral health support and specialist referrals, which Raven calls “invaluable.” Now insured again, she continues to rely on Zufall’s care. “Zufall truly saves lives by helping those of us who can’t afford the high cost of health care.”
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Why We Give: ProDirect Dental Laboratory Helps Zufall Veteran Patients Smile Again
For years, ProDirect Dental Laboratory owners Eric Chang and Franny Yuan worked behind the scenes, creating dental appliances without ever meeting the patients who used them. That changed when they made dentures at no cost for someone in need. For the first time, they witnessed firsthand the profound difference their work could make in a person’s life. Motivated to do more, ProDirect partnered with Zufall Health to bring that same impact to low-income veterans through Smiles for Our Heroes in 2024. Zufall is grateful to have their continued support in restoring smiles and confidence for those who have served at this year’s event on June 21.
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Zufall Health is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Generous supporters make our essential services possible. Donations are processed securely through the Zufall Health Foundation (EIN: 85-1152298).
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