Overview

For the Sake of Children, Keep Wearing Your Mask - Opinion by Lawrence C. Kleinman

As the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, states and elected leaders declare an end to pandemic restrictions, paving the way back to "normal," there's a presumption that vaccinated adults can safely be around one another with neither masks nor social distancing. But, based on all we know, this behavior could put children at risk ... Click Here for Full Article

The Division of Population Health, Quality and Implementation Sciences (PopQuIS in Pediatrics) has been newly constituted with the arrival of founding Director, Lawrence C. Kleinman, MD, MPH, FAAP.  This new Division is building from the Department’s strong and deep roots in Primary Care (formerly housed in the Division of Academic General Pediatrics) to consider the health and well-being of the whole child in the family, community, and policy contexts.  PopQuIS will continue
to deliver first rate primary care, develop multi- and trans-disciplinary teams to conduct research into maternal, child and community health, work to evaluate and improve programs that support health and health care, and advance the science of providing high quality, safe, and highly reliable health care.

We illustrate below a strategic vision for PopQuIS’ growth and development.  The primary goal of PopQuIS in Pediatrics is to improve the health of children and their families in New Jersey and across the field of pediatrics.  We incorporate evidence informed practices to elevate the quality of primary care that we provide to our diverse patient populations. 

PopQuIS will be a national and global leader that advances the development and application of science to shape the delivery of health services for children and their families.  As innovators, we partner with our communities to develop and apply tools to improve quality and ensure the safety of our patients, educate health professionals, and advocate for policies and practices that benefit children and their families, reducing inequities and advancing health.  

We bring value to our patients, our communities, and our institution.

The Vision for PopQuIS in Pediatrics is to develop and maintain a culture of generosity so that:

  • Children flourish, families thrive, and communities provide healthy environments and support
  • Children develop in beneficial relationships with loving adults, free of toxic stress and trauma and not exposed to bias, discrimination, and inequity
  • World Class Primary Care is Accessible for All Families. Our primary care practice remains highly engaged with patients, families and communities, with colleagues from a wide variety of professional disciplines at Rutgers and beyond.
  • We conduct science to generate new knowledge for our colleagues and we incorporate existing science into practices that benefit our patients and their families.
  • We listen to our patients and our communities to learn how we can continue to improve.

Primary care pediatrics is offered at two sites. We offer comprehensive, family-centered care to children from birth to 21 years of age1, including well child care (“check ups”), health and developmental screening, vaccinations, and treatment for acute and chronic illnesses.  Care is personalized to each child’s physical, developmental, social, and emotional needs, and  referrals to Rutgers Health specialists, dental, and behavioral health clinicians are available as  needed. The Rutgers Health primary care pediatric practice at 1 Worlds Fair Drive in Somerset was founded 23 years ago by Dr. Emanuel Lerner, who still oversees care provided there.  The practice has grown to a seven physician group and is the site of training in primary care for more than half of the pediatric residents in the department.  It utilizes a private practice model to serve a diverse population from Middlesex and Somerset counties and accepts a wide range  of private and public insurance plans, including Medicaid insurances. The Eric B. Chandler  Health Center is a federally qualified community health center that primarily serves the New  Brunswick area. Chandler Health Center accepts Medicaid insurances. 

1Primary care pediatricians provide services to children, adolescents, and young adults through 21 years  of age at the Somerset location. The Eric B. Chandler Health Center seamlessly transitions the care of  older adolescents and young adults from pediatricians to family physicians after their high school graduation or 18th birthday