Promoting the health of our beloved communities through a commitment to service.
Rutgers Health Service Corps prepares students, faculty, staff, and community members to positively impact health and wellness across Rutgers and New Jersey through education, innovation, and service. Our vision is to be a national model, inspiring the next generation of healthcare and public health heroes to improve the health and equity of our communities.
Our students have distributed over 5,000 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.
Our students have assembled and distributed over 500 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.
In collaboration with Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy and the Greater Newark Healthcare Coalition, our students educate caregivers and children on asthma awareness and management. The Asthma Corps – Clearing the AIR about Asthma (Awareness, Information, and Resources) program aims to reduce preventable asthma-related deaths and hospitalizations through tailored presentations focusing on asthma prevention, control, and the urgency of care.
Corps members from across Rutgers schools and campuses receive training and serve in one of our service-learning programs that align with their interests. Our volunteer reserves offer additional opportunities to engage in service initiatives throughout the year.
Work alongside healthcare professionals and partner organizations to conduct preventive health screenings and offer educational materials and resources to community members, spanning topics such as hypertension, diabetes, cancer, and nutrition.
Enhance community resilience by supporting emergency preparedness efforts and promoting safety education. Collaborate with local agencies and healthcare organizations to assist in developing emergency plans, conducting safety drills, and educating the public on disaster preparedness, response, and recovery.
Help address food insecurity issues within the Rutgers community and beyond by raising awareness, organizing initiatives, and providing support to students and community members experiencing food insecurity.
Learn about health policy and engage in projects that promote policy research and advocacy efforts. Explore key policies that impact public health and healthcare systems, develop skills in policy analysis, and participate in advocacy initiatives.
Improve public understanding of health information and promote the distribution and reach of health messaging within the community by creating and disseminating clear, culturally relevant health messages, developing educational materials, and implementing strategies to enhance health literacy.
Discover hands-on learning opportunities within hospital and health care settings, offering direct patient engagement and real-world exposure to health care delivery. Collaborate with Rutgers' hospital and health system partners to support patient navigation, care coordination, and quality improvement efforts.
Gain hands-on experience leading teams and applying project management principles within the Rutgers Health Service Corps to manage projects and ensure the successful execution of our initiatives.
Promote awareness and work to address key issues related to maternal and women's health by engaging in projects and advocacy efforts to improve health outcomes for women, with a focus on maternal care, reproductive health, and access to resources.
Raise awareness and help address mental health challenges within the community through initiatives that promote mental well-being, reduce stigma, and improve access to mental health resources.
Gain valuable experience in research and data analytics while engaging in research projects and collecting and analyzing data on Rutgers Health Service Corps efforts. Help generate actionable insights to inform our leadership team and guide strategic decision-making.
Combat substance abuse and prevent overdoses by collaborating on projects that emphasize education, prevention, and cessation to foster safer, healthier communities. A key initiative is our Narcan (naloxone) dissemination in partnership with Rutgers Student Health, HOPE, and Robert Wood Johnson Medical School's Division of Addiction Psychiatry.
High school students have the opportunity to participate in the RHSC through the Population Health Outreach and Education for Next generation Impact and eXcellence (PHOENIX) Program. The one-week summer program introduces high school students to the health professions, population health, community service, and RHSC. Students who complete the program are inducted into the program as cadets and have the opportunity to engage in activities with other members.
The application period for the PHOENIX Summer Program will reopen in spring 2025.
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.
RHSC 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 is led by the Office of Population Health, within the Office of Clinical and Health Affairs.
All students, faculty, staff, and community members are welcome to apply to participate in RHSC service-learning opportunities. Applications open every spring for participation during the upcoming academic year. 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.
Students can join our volunteer listserv at any time and be informed of upcoming volunteer opportunities. Please contact vcph@rbhs.rutgers.edu.
Applications open every spring for participation in service-learning opportunities during the upcoming academic year. Students can join our volunteer listserv at any time and be informed of upcoming volunteer opportunities. Please contact vcph@rbhs.rutgers.edu.
We welcome new ideas, partnerships, and opportunities for service. To connect, please contact vcph@rbhs.rutgers.edu.