South Middlesex Times

The Rutgers Center for State Health Policy marked its 25th anniversary, celebrating its longstanding contributions to health policy in New Jersey. Since its inception in 1999, the center has worked closely with state agencies, including Medicaid, to establish itself as a key player in health policy formulation and evaluation.

The center has built a reputation for maintaining and analyzing large health data sets, drawing on Rutgers University's academic strengths. It has collaborated with eight governors from both political parties and influenced arguments before the United States Supreme Court.

Nearly 200 stakeholders gathered recently to commemorate the milestone with a symposium. Sarah Adelman, Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Human Services, emphasized the center's focus on humanity: "When I think of all the contributions of the Center for State Health Policy, there’s one word that really comes to mind, and that’s ‘humanity.’ The work...has focused on the humanity of the lives being studied."

Joel C. Cantor, founding director of the center and Distinguished Professor of Public Policy, expressed gratitude at the event: “If I were to thank everyone who has supported and collaborated with the center over the past 25 years... we would be here well into the night.”

The center is part of Rutgers' Institute for Health, Health Care Policy and Aging Research. Founded with support from Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), it comprises seven faculty members and over 30 staff. Brian C. Quinn from RWJF praised it as "a model for how New Jersey can be a leader on a whole range of health policy issues."

Over its history, the center has led various research initiatives with state departments focusing on population health and healthcare access. Notable projects include evaluations of Medicaid policy changes and studies like NJHealth Study aimed at understanding stress impacts on historically disadvantaged groups.

Adelman presented Cantor with a proclamation from Governor Phil Murphy recognizing this anniversary. The center's portfolio includes more than 270 projects funded by $134 million in grants resulting in over 1,200 publications.

In recent years, leveraging expertise in Medicaid data analysis secured funding from National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities for research into healthcare utilization gaps among homeless adults.

Brian Strom from Rutgers Health commended their impact: “At Rutgers Health...we are deeply proud...The center exemplifies...work that makes Rutgers a renowned research institution.”

Tobias Gerhard acknowledged Cantor's upcoming transition as he steps down after leading for 25 years but will remain involved through his research work: “What has made [Joel] such an extraordinary leader...is that he has infused all his values into CSHP.”

Cantor’s leadership leaves behind an enduring legacy embedded within organizational principles at CSHP according to Gerhard—principles forming part of their operational DNA moving forward.