First lady Tammy Murphy and Governor Phil Murphy joined representatives from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) and the New Jersey Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Authority (MIHIA); state and local government officials; and health care, community and faith leaders to break ground on the first-of-its-kind Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Center (MIHIC) in Trenton.
The MIHIC will serve as the epicenter for advancing equitable maternal and infant health care across Trenton and the nation. As a beacon of hope and innovation, it will lead efforts to deliver excellence in perinatal and family care, cultivate a diverse and skilled workforce, conduct cutting-edge policy research, provide integrated wraparound supports and operate a robust data collaborative to better serve families across the state.
Located in the heart of Trenton, the MIHIC is the cornerstone of first lady Murphy’s Nurture NJ initiative. It will anchor bold efforts to eliminate racial disparities in care and improve outcomes for mothers and babies. NJEDA, working closely with first lady Murphy and MIHIA, is developing the Center, which will be operated day-to-day by MIHIA. The state has committed $86.7 million in federal and state funding to bring the project to life.
As a part of the celebration, the NJEDA announced that its 12th Strategic Innovation Center (SIC), which was unveiled recently, will have a presence at the MIHIC. Developed in collaboration with Rowan University and MIHIA, this Trenton-based SIC will focus on driving breakthrough solutions in maternal care equity, digital health, doula support, perinatal mental health and public benefits access. The SIC will further the state’s national leadership in maternal and infant health innovation, leveraging startups, academic institutions, public agencies and community voices to advance maternal health equity and inventive medical technologies.
“This is a transformational day for every mother and baby who deserves a safe, healthy and strong start in life,” said first lady Murphy. “Today, we break ground on the Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Center — the heartbeat of Nurture NJ. Shaped by the voices of families and rooted in Trenton, this Center will deliver care and collaboration like never before. It will save lives, raise standards and show what’s possible when equity leads. And with the nation’s first Strategic Innovation Center dedicated to maternal and infant health, we’re not waiting for change — we’re creating it right here.”
“Today’s groundbreaking takes us one step closer to opening the Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Center, which will serve as a unique and pioneering hub dedicated to creating innovative solutions for the maternal health crisis while tackling health care disparities once and for all,” said Gov. Murphy.
“Additionally, through the newly announced Strategic Innovation Center and the three lead anchor tenants, this Center will offer essential maternal and infant health care services to the residents of Trenton and New Jersey, and serve as a research and innovation hub to reshape maternal health locally and statewide, while setting an example for the entire nation,” continued Murphy. “The work of the Center will have a lasting impact beyond our administration, strengthening the health and development of families and communities.”
“Today’s groundbreaking is a resounding success for not only the City of Trenton, but for the mothers and babies who have historically been left out of conversations regarding their health. The Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Center will serve as a true community health hub where parents and babies can receive the care that they deserve, helping uplift the neighborhood and the people who raise their families there,” said Lisa Asare, President and CEO of MIHIA.
“The launch of the MIHIC as one of the State’s newest SICs strengthens its role as a hub for innovation, advancing maternal and infant health by supporting emerging industries and scalable solutions with statewide, national, and global impact, while also investing in the well-being of the Trenton community and broader New Jersey population. This SIC was established through a strategic partnership between MIHIA, NJEDA, Rowan University, and Plug and Play — a nationally recognized leader in scaling startups and building innovation ecosystems. Together, we aim to grow community-driven innovations that improve maternal and infant health outcomes in New Jersey.”
