Woods System of Care and RWJBarnabas Health Open New Health Clinic in Hamilton
A groundbreaking healthcare initiative has opened in New Jersey, marking a major step forward in care for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and autism.
The Woods Primary and Behavioral Health Center at Hamilton—developed through a partnership between Woods System of Care and RWJBarnabas Health—will be the first integrated clinic of its kind in the state, designed to close longstanding gaps in healthcare access for this underserved population.
Woods System of Care, the largest provider of services for individuals with I/DD, and RWJBarnabas Health, New Jersey’s largest and most comprehensive academic health system, have joined forces to bring a new model of compassionate, specialized care to Mercer County.
“We could not do what we do in the community without a hospital partner,” says Tine Hansen-Turton, President and CEO of Woods System of Care. “Being able to partner with RWJBarnabas Health System enables us to provide the full care continuum from primary and behavioral health all the way into allied health, hospitalization, and specialists.”
“By drawing off Woods System of Care’s long, meaningful history and experience, this model also aligns perfectly with RWJUH Hamilton’s nursing care model of patient-centered care,” adds Lisa Breza, Chief Administrative Officer, RWJUH Hamilton, an RWJBarnabas Health facility.
The center is based on the nationally recognized Medical Center at Woods in Pennsylvania, the first integrated primary and behavioral health facility for people with I/DD in the country. That Pennsylvania model has demonstrated exceptional impact, including a more than 20% reduction in emergency room visits and nearly a 40% decrease in hospitalizations, while improving overall health outcomes and generating significant Medicaid and Medicare savings.
The Woods Primary and Behavioral Health Center at Hamilton will offer an array of coordinated services tailored to the needs of people with I/DD and autism, including:
- Annual physicals and wellness visits
- Immunizations and preventative screenings
- Chronic disease management
- Behavioral health and psychiatric evaluations
- Therapy and medication management
- Care related to COVID-19
- Seamless access to specialists within the RWJBarnabas Hamilton Hospital network
A central focus of the new clinic is supporting youth with I/DD and autism as they transition from pediatric to adult healthcare. Partnerships with developmental pediatric specialists—including Children’s Specialized Hospital—will help ensure continuous access to primary and behavioral health services throughout adulthood.
“Moving people from the margins of treatment and society into the forefront and the mainstream is something that has been a long time coming,” notes Mark Williams, Chair of the Woods System of Care Board of Trustees.
Beyond improving individual outcomes, the long-term goal of the center is to reduce pressure on local emergency departments, which are often unprepared to meet the complex medical or behavioral needs of people with I/DD. By expanding access to coordinated, specialty-informed care, the center aims to provide patients with the right care in the right setting—preventing crises before they occur.
The Woods Primary and Behavioral Health Center at Hamilton is now open. To schedule a tour or learn more, call (888) 628-9661.
