Below view of young diverse group of people in protective medical masks making fist bump standing in circle.

Rutgers Health Service Corps

Promoting the health of our beloved communities through a commitment to service.

On the Front Lines

Rutgers Health Service Corps (RHSC) prepares students, faculty, staff, and community members to positively impact health and wellness across Rutgers and New Jersey. We offer education and service-learning experiences, volunteer opportunities, internships, 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.

10,000+
Narcan kits distributed
2,000+
Cancer screening kits assembled
1,000+
Hours of service (2024-2025)
2025
Recipient of The President’s Volunteer Service Award

How to Get Involved

College students across Rutgers schools and campuses who 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.

Apply to the 2025–2026 Cohort

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 Screening

Support the planning and delivery of community-based screening events for blood pressure, diabetes, and other conditions. Collaborate with school and community partners to provide essential preventive care and health education.

Community Health Worker Appointment Scheduling

Partner with the RWJ Community Health Worker Program to help patients discharged from the emergency department access follow-up care. Members call primary and specialty care offices to assist with scheduling appointments and coordinating services.

Asthma Corps

Empower families and children with asthma management education. Members co-lead interactive workshops covering asthma triggers, medications, inhaler use, and emergency preparedness to help prevent hospitalizations and improve health outcomes.

Narcan Distribution

Enhance community readiness by distributing Narcan (naloxone) nasal spray kits across Rutgers campuses and educating recipients on overdose response.

Join the 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 an Internship

Gain hands-on experience through internship opportunities with RHSC. These roles require a greater level of involvement, commitment, and experience than active membership and offer Rutgers students more specialized project-based work. Interns engage more deeply with the service corps' mission and contribute meaningfully to its impact.

  • Social Media Internship: Support our health communication efforts by managing social media outreach and promoting ongoing projects, activities, and impact. Applications open at the beginning of each fall and spring semester. Interns are expected to participate on-site twice per week throughout the semester.
  • Leadership Internship: Contribute to the planning, development, and implementation of new RHSC initiatives. Assist with preparations for the upcoming service corps cohort, collaborate closely with the leadership team, and participate in team meetings. This internship runs during the summer, with on-site participation required twice per week. Applications open in the spring.
Two coworkers in an office room smile at something out of frame

FAQs

  • The service corps is led by the Office of Population Health, within the Office of Clinical and Health Affairs.

    Humaira Chaudhry

    New Jersey Medical School

    Chair and Chief of Service, Radiology

     

    New Jersey Medical School
     

    Jack Hemphill

    Rutgers Health

    Program Manager and Director, Rutgers Health Service Corps

     

    Rutgers Health

    Alex Ruiz

    Rutgers University

    Executive Director of Environmental Health and Safety and University Safety Officer

     

    Rutgers University
     

    Vince Silenzio (He/Him/His)

    School of Public Health

    Professor and Global Public Health Concentration Director

     

    School of Public Health
     

    Brandi Blackshear

    Rutgers Health

    Special Projects Coordinator

     

    Rutgers Health

    Allison Marcucci

    Rutgers Health

    Administrative Coordinator to the Vice Chancellor for Population Health

     

    Rutgers Health
  • 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. Service hours may count as credits toward a student's degree, depending on their program and its requirements.

    Faculty, staff, community members, or individuals unable to commit consistent hours can join the service corps reserves volunteer listserv at any time to receive updates on upcoming volunteer opportunities. To be added, please contact rhsc@rbhs.rutgers.edu.

  • Active corps members are expected to complete 5–10 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 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.

  • Applications open each August 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.

    Social media internship applications become available at the start of each fall and spring semester. Leadership internship applications become available each Spring.

    Applications for the high school summer PHOENIX Program become available early spring.

  • We welcome new ideas, partnerships, and opportunities for service. To connect, please contact rhsc@rbhs.rutgers.edu.

  • 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.

    Read About VAX Corps' Impact