Robert Wood Johnson Medicine • Spring 2011 • Population Science

(132,854 patients in 18 trials,
including 11,988 deaths), the
researchers found that the
benefits of medications to lower
blood pressure persisted after
the end of the trial, indicating a
legacy effect.
In these clinical trials, such
medications were prescribed for
patients with hypertension,
myocardial infarction, or left
ventricular systolic dysfunction.
During the initial phase, 80
percent of the patients randomized
to get active treatment
actually received it, compared to
16 percent of those randomized
to the control group. The risk of
death was lower in the active
treatment group during the
initial phase by about 16
percent.
Following each clinical trial,
patients in both the active
medication and the control
groups were advised to take
active medications. Although
persons in both groups received
that in similar proportions,
mortality was about 15 percent
lower for patients initially randomized
to active medications,
thereby receiving medications
for a longer period of time —
the legacy effect.
Community
H e a l t h
JOHN EMERSON
Foundation of UMDNJ Receives
Up to $4 Million for
Chandler Health Center
The Foundation of UMDNJ
has received a commitment
of up to $4 million from the
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
(RWJF) to establish an endowment
and support the operations of the
Eric B. Chandler Health Center.
The health center, owned and
operated by UMDNJ-Robert Wood
Johnson Medical School in collaboration
with the Eric B. Chandler
Community Board Inc., will receive
a $2 million grant from RWJF to
support the operations of the center,
which provides a full range of
health care services to those in
need, regardless of their ability to
pay. In addition, a $2 million challenge
grant will establish an
endowment allowing the center to
continue to maintain the provision
of those services in perpetuity. In
order to receive this second grant,
the Foundation of UMDNJ needs
to raise $2 million in matching
funds within the next four years.
“A critical priority for us will be
to match the $2 million endowment
in order to maintain the
excellent services available through
Chandler,” explains George F.
Heinrich, MD, vice chair and CEO,
Foundation of UMDNJ.
Patients served through the
Chandler Health Center are
economically disadvantaged,
with 72 percent reporting
incomes below the federal
poverty level and 92 percent
with income levels at or below
200 percent of the federal
poverty level. “Like many
other organizations providing
care for those with a limited
ability to pay, the Chandler Health
Center is experiencing financial
challenges,” says Eric G. Jahn, MD
’88, associate professor of family
medicine and community health
and senior associate dean for community
health. “Receipt of these
funds will allow Chandler to meet
all of its missions in a continued
and robust fashion.”
“I am extremely appreciative that
the RWJF has been so generous to
the Eric B. Chandler Health Center,”
says Sandra Adams, executive
director. “This funding will allow
us to continue our commitment to
providing quality health care to so
many individuals in need.”
Robert Wood Johnson ■ MEDICINE 13