On the Front Lines
Rutgers Health Service Corps (RHSC) offers education and service-learning experiences, volunteer opportunities, a summer internship, and high school summer programming—all designed to prepare participants to advance population health and make a tangible impact on health outcomes in the communities we serve.
Our Vision
To be a national model, inspiring the next generation of healthcare and public health heroes to improve the health and equity of our communities.
15,000+
Narcan kits distributed
3,000+
Cancer screening kits assembled
3,400+
Hours of service (2024-2026)
2025
Recipient of The President’s Volunteer Service Award
Making a Difference
Distributing Narcan (Naloxone) Kits
Our members have distributed over 15,000 Narcan kits across Rutgers–New Brunswick, contributing to a safer campus environment by equipping the community with life-saving tools to prevent opioid overdose fatalities.
Promoting Colon Cancer Screening
Corps members have assembled and distributed over 3,000 home stool colon cancer screening kits to patients at Rutgers Health practices, such as the Eric B. Chandler Health Center. This initiative promotes early detection and increases access to preventive care, particularly for underserved populations.
Signature Projects
RHSC members are making an impact by engaging in the following service-learning projects aimed at improving public and population health:
Colon Cancer FIT Kit Assembly
Support colorectal cancer prevention by assembling FIT (Fecal Immunochemical Test) kits for at-home screening. Some members may help with tracking patient completion and conducting follow-up outreach to encourage kit return.
Students for Cancer Awareness and Navigating Screenings (SCANS)
Promote cancer screening awareness through hospital-based outreach and education. Members identify eligible patients, explain the importance of early detection, and assist them in navigating available screening options.
Community Health Education
Provide health education to community members on Service Corps topics such as cancer screening, HPV vaccination, overdose prevention, and other important health conditions. Students engage in one-on-one education with peers and community members and support health education and outreach at community events alongside partners.
Narcan Distribution
Enhance community readiness by distributing Narcan (naloxone) nasal spray kits across Rutgers campuses and educating recipients on overdose response.
Communications and Social Media
Support efforts to promote and share information about RHSC and its programs through social media posts and other communications.
Apply as an Active Member
College students across Rutgers schools and campuses who apply and are accepted into RHSC receive training and are assigned to one of our signature service-learning projects. Participation requires an active commitment throughout the academic year, including ongoing project involvement and attendance at meetings.
Applications become available in the summer before the start of the fall semester.
Join the Volunteer Reserves
Individuals who are unable to commit to active membership but still wish to contribute can join the service corps reserves listserv to receive notifications about upcoming service opportunities. We regularly share events in collaboration with Rutgers and community partners. These may include volunteering at local food banks, assisting with one-time activities, participating in hygiene drives, and other community service events.
Apply for a Summer Internship
Gain hands-on experience through a summer internship opportunity with RHSC. This role requires a greater level of involvement, commitment, and experience than active membership, and offers Rutgers students more specialized project-based work. Interns engage more deeply with the service corps' mission and contribute meaningfully to its impact. Example projects include: supporting the planning, development, and implementation of new RHSC initiatives; assisting with preparations for the upcoming service corps cohort; and participating in the PHOENIX high school summer program.
Applications open every spring semester for the upcoming summer.
Join the High School Summer Program
High school students can get involved with Rutgers Health Service Corps through the Population Health Outreach and Education for Next generation Impact and eXcellence (PHOENIX) Program. PHOENIX introduces participants to the health professions, population health, community service, and the service corps mission. Students who complete the program may have the opportunity to engage in select service corps activities alongside college members during the academic year.
The 2026 application period is now closed. Applications for summer 2027 will open in spring 2027.
Highlights of Our Work
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RHSC was selected as a recipient of the 2027 Cancer Prevention and Screening Program Community Grant, supporting efforts to expand the reach and impact of its colon cancer screening activities.
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RHSC received The Allstate Foundation College Service Grant for two consecutive years, supporting the expansion of service opportunities for youth. The funding has helped expand RHSC’s service projects and launch a seed grant program that empowers PHOENIX and RHSC students to develop and implement health and wellness initiatives in their communities.
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RHSC was selected as a Rutgers Democracy Lab Fellow, supporting the development and launch of the Rutgers Health Policy and Advocacy Internship. In 2025–2026, three interns gained hands-on experience advancing health policy and civic engagement through projects with partners, including the NJ Department of Health, the NJ Pharmacists Association, and the Rutgers–Camden School of Nursing.
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RHSC was invited to present its work at the 2026 American Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Expo, highlighting student-led projects including Narcan distribution across Rutgers campuses and colon cancer screening through FIT kit distribution.
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The service corps is led by the Office of Population Health, within the Office of Clinical and Health Affairs.
Ethan Halm
Rutgers Health
Jack Hemphill
Rutgers Health
Brandi Blackshear
Rutgers Health
Allison Marcucci
Rutgers Health -
Meet Reeva Vaidya, the 2026 RHSC summer intern.
Reeva is a rising junior at Rutgers University studying Information Technology and Informatics with a minor in Health Administration. As a Student Intern, she contributes to projects within the Rutgers Health Service Corps and the PHOENIX Summer Program. She is passionate about exploring how technology can support better health outcomes.
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All Rutgers students are welcome to apply to participate in RHSC service-learning opportunities as an active member. Members will be accepted based on interests and experience, ability to think critically and work in interprofessional teams, and a desire to serve the community.
Individuals unable to commit consistent hours can join the service corps reserves volunteer listserv at any time to receive updates on upcoming volunteer opportunities.
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Active corps members are expected to complete 3–5 hours of service per week, depending on their assigned projects throughout the academic year (not including winter, spring, and summer breaks).
Service corps reserves have no set requirements and may sign up for volunteer opportunities at their convenience.
Service corps summer interns are required to complete 20 hours of work per week and must be on-site in New Brunswick at least twice a week.
PHOENIX program participants (rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors) must attend all five days of the summer program, which runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily.
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Applications open each summer for active membership, offering students the opportunity to participate in service-learning projects during the upcoming academic year.
Volunteers may join the service corps reserves listserv at any time by contacting rhsc@rbhs.rutgers.edu.
Summer internship applications open every spring semester for the following summer.
Applications for the high school summer PHOENIX Program become available in early spring.
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We welcome new ideas, partnerships, and opportunities for service. To connect, please contact rhsc@rbhs.rutgers.edu.
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Launched in 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Rutgers VAX Corps recruited health professionals, students, and faculty from Rutgers Health and the university and played a key role in vaccination efforts. These included vaccine administration and support for vaccine clinics which helped protect our diverse Rutgers communities, addressing health equity gaps, and serving the most vulnerable populations in Camden, Newark, New Brunswick, and beyond.
The service corps is the post-pandemic extension of the VAX Corps and aims to build upon its success by providing our members with unique training and a multitude of health and wellness service activities.
RHSC was first conceptualized around 2021 through a project in the Rutgers Academic Leadership Program led by Humaira Chaudhry, chair and chief of service, radiology at NJMS, and Vince Silenzio, professor at the Rutgers School of Public Health, with involvement from Jack Hemphill of the Rutgers Office of Population Health, and Alex Ruiz, executive director of environmental health and safety and university safety officer.