Foundation Newsletter

MARK YOUR CALENDAR !

15th Annual Red Dress / Red Tie Reception Thursday, February 8, 2024 5:00pm – 8:00pm The Carriage House, Galloway, NJ

ATLANTICARE URGENT CARE EXPANDS TO BARNEGAT Since opening its doors on May 25, 2023, AtlantiCare’s Barnegat Urgent Care Center has taken off quickly. “We’ve seen more than 3700 patients in just over three months,” says Robyn Boniewicz, AVP, AtlantiCare Urgent Care. While many of AtlantiCare’s 11 Urgent Care Centers see an uptick of shore visitors in summer months, Boniewicz says that the patients seeking care at the Barnegat location were predominately residents. “Prior to our opening, there was no urgent care in Barnegat, and little access to primary care,” she says. “We averaged 29 patients a day in August, which tells us that we are filling a need for the local population. Patients are really so thankful to be able to get the care they need quickly and close to home.” AtlantiCare Urgent Care Centers treat non-life-threatening illness and injuries and offers convenient evening and weekend hours. In 2022, AtlantiCare Urgent Care Centers collectively delivered care at nearly 165,000 visits.

FOOD I S MEDICINE Over the past year, the Pantry at the Plex in Atlantic City has seen a steady and significant increase in visits for food distribution, with more than 500 people receiving donations in August 2023. “We’ve been serving new people, new families, new patients from the HealthPlex,” says Nicole Solari, manager, Social Determinants of Health. “There is an increasing need for access to food.” “Being able to provide for community members in need is an important privilege,” she adds. “Simultaneously, increased use of the food pantry shows us that more work needs to be done in addressing the root causes of food insecurity.” Often, says Solari, Pantry staff are the first to learn of health issues that clients are facing, highlighting the need to better understand the social determinants of health through client and patient interviews. AtlantiCare will begin a “Food is Medicine” program in 2024, offering classes on healthy food preparation and measuring health outcomes. “In what other ways can we support our community in building a healthcare system that includes and cares for all of us?,” Solari asks. Ready to be part of the solution? The Pantry at the Plex accepts donations and will coordinate with community organizations to host food drives. To learn more, contact PantryAtThePlex@atlanticare.org.

We are moving our 2024 Gala to the Spring! Saturday, May 4, 2024 Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa

The Year of the Dragon!

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