FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP, N.J. (Somerset County) — Zufall Health officially opened its first school-based health center in Franklin Township during a ribbon-cutting ceremony May 13 at the Franklin Middle School-Hamilton Street Campus.
The new facility, located at 1 Berger St. in Somerset, was developed through a partnership between Zufall Health, the Franklin Township Board of Education and Franklin Township officials. The center will provide primary medical, dental and behavioral health services to students, families and community members.
According to organizers, the idea for the health center began several years ago when Zufall Health President and CEO Frances Palm contacted Franklin Township Public Schools Superintendent Dr. John Ravally about bringing the organization’s first school-based health center to the district.
Palm said Ravally immediately agreed to the proposal.
Community leaders, elected officials, school administrators and residents attended the opening ceremony, which included tours of the facility and a ribbon cutting.
“This health center represents what is possible when healthcare providers, educators, and community leaders come together around a shared goal,” Palm said. “We are proud to partner with Franklin Township to ensure students, families, and community members have access to high-quality, compassionate care close to home.”
Speakers at the event included Palm; Ravally; Somerset County Commissioner Director Shanel Robinson; Jason Ingel, constituent services and field representative for U.S. Sen. Andy Kim; New Jersey Health Commissioner Dr. Raynard Washington; and Zufall Health Board Chair Bill Shuler.
Makeda Breedy Fryson, secretary of the Triple B Foundation Board of Directors, also presented Palm with a donation supporting the outfitting of one of the center’s exam rooms, which was dedicated in honor of her grandmother, Charlotte Bayley.
“The opening of the Zufall School-Based Health Center represents the culmination of a multi-year partnership with Zufall Health and the foresight of the Board of Education Members and Franklin Township Council Members,” Ravally said. “I am incredibly proud of the dedication shown not only by our nurses, administrators, and staff, but by the entire Zufall team as well. I truly believe this partnership will continue to grow to meet the evolving needs of our students and the greater Franklin Township community.”
Unlike many school-based clinics that serve only students, officials said the Franklin Township location will be open to the entire community.
According to Zufall Health, the center accepts Medicaid, Medicare and private insurance, while also offering a sliding fee scale for uninsured patients.
