Bergen New Bridge Medical Center, the state’s largest hospital and a clinical affiliate of Rutgers University Medical School, has joined the Guardian Research Network — a nationwide health care system research network, it was announced this week.
As not-for-profits, officials from both entities are saying that they are coming together to bring health care innovation to local communities and enhance patient diversity, in a focus on improved health care.
The strategic relationship will contribute to GRN’s mission of translating data into cures and providing research answers for improved health. The alliance will enable GRN to extend beyond its cancer roots and into diabetes, rare diseases, mental health and other illnesses.
Bergen New Bridge CEO Deborah Visconi said the hospital will be embarking on cutting-edge diagnostic studies in communities that do not traditionally seek health care early.
“We can help identify cancers and other diseases earlier to eventually improve treatment outcomes,” she said. “This aligns with our mission to bring true population health and access to health care at critical early stages to underrepresented populations across the county.”
Representing millions of patients across the country, GRN CEO Bruce Holstein said the organization focuses on advancing health care data technology, clinical research trials and real-world data science.
Holstein said he is pleased with the partnership.
“Bergen’s excellent reputation, expert medical services and clinical innovations, overlayed by their mission to serve all, are a perfect match for the Guardian Research Network,” he said. “Our collective efforts to democratize clinical trials, accelerate cures for disease and develop the core medical data research engine for the coming decade are further enhanced by Bergen’s entry into our now 25-plus-state-represented network of health systems.”
