News & Updates
Governor Jon S. Corzine Visits Henry J. Austin at Ewing

February 13, 2009-  Governor Jon S. Corzine and Department of Health and Senior Services Commissioner Heather Howard, announced grants to strengthen New Jersey’s health care safety net and expand access to health care in the state at the Henry J. Austin Health Center at Ewing Street. 

Health and Senior Services Commissioner Heather Howard said priority for the funds was given to expanding access to prenatal care by increasing the number of obstetricians and nursemidwives and strengthening the health care safety net in medically underserved areas.

“Expanding access to prenatal and primary care during these difficult economic times is more important now than ever before,” Commissioner Howard said. “This funding will improve services in critical areas where hospitals have closed and it will help ensure that women have healthy babies.’’ 

Sixteen community health centers will receive grants ranging from $153,600 to $644,250 to hire OB/GYNs, nurse midwives and support staff; buy equipment or expand hours on weeknight evenings and weekends. The average grant is $250,000 

The Henry J. Austin Health Center at Ewing Street, where the grants were announced, will use its $255,600 grant to hire an OB/GYN, buy an ultrasound machine, and add five staff to operate a call center for patients seeking medical appointments.  

Walter Isaacs, chief executive officer of the Henry J. Austin Health Center, said the funding will “help us meet the existing demand and strengthen our OB/GYN services.’’ The health center handled prenatal care and deliveries for 307 babies last year and is seeing more prenatal care patients than ever before, Isaacs said.

During 2008, Isaacs states there were over 18,000 individuals and 82,000 encounters at Henry J. Austin.

Pictured above: Governor Jon S. Corzine gives a speech to the Henry J. Austin Board of Directors and press.