Today, nearly 50 physicians and providers affiliated with CentraState Healthcare System joined Atlantic Health System’s multi-specialty physician network, Atlantic Medical Group, as part of the two health systems’ on-going efforts to create a co-owned framework for CentraState Healthcare System.

The synergy created by the addition of these practices expands patient access in Central New Jersey to include Atlantic Health System’s nationally-recognized programs and services at its seven medical centers, and nearly 400 ambulatory care locations.

“Care begins in the community, and patients in Central New Jersey turn first to these CentraState-affiliated physicians for care,” said Steven Sheris, MD, president of Atlantic Medical Group. “Bringing these providers into the Atlantic Medical Group family is an important step in giving patients easier access to our high-quality, integrated continuum of care.”

“Our transition to the Atlantic Medical Group will give our providers new tools to manage patient care, and ultimately offer patients easier access to a larger network of physicians,” said James Richvalsky, CentraState’s vice president of physician practice management.

As part of Atlantic Medical Group, these practices will use the Epic electronic health record (EHR) platform.  The ultimate goal is to provide Epic throughout CentraState Health System. Epic will improve efficiency and safety in care delivery by providing physicians with patients’ full and up-to-date medical record.  As part of a system that uses one single EHR, the practices will receive streamlined connectivity to other providers and specialists throughout Atlantic Health System.

The practices joining Atlantic Medical Group today include:

• Family Practice of CentraState offices in Freehold, Colts Neck, East Windsor, Jackson, Marlboro and Monroe
• Women’s Health Specialists of CentraState offices in Marlboro, East Windsor and Freehold
• Neonatology Associates of CentraState in Freehold
• John Pellegrino, MD Breast Surgery and Breast Oncology in Freehold
• Surgical Associates of CentraState offices in Freehold and Edison
• Pulmonology Associates of CentraState offices in Freehold and Morganville
• Nephrology Associates of CentraState in Jackson
• Jia Cheng, MD Movement Disorder Program in Freehold

“The Epic EHR is a user friendly electronic medical record that will give patients the ability to communicate with their care team, keep track of records and make appointments.” said Robert Pedowitz, D.O., FACOFP, medical director of Family Practice of Centrastate. “In addition, our physicians will now be able to work more cohesively on behalf of patients by utilizing the same medical information across specialties and practices.”

In September 2020, CentraState Healthcare System and Atlantic Health System signed a Letter of Intent to create a unique model for health system co-ownership. This was followed by a Definitive Agreement by the two organization weeks later. Upon receipt of the State and federal government approval of this transaction, Atlantic Health will become the majority corporate member in CentraState and CentraState will join the Atlantic Health System network of care.

Atlantic Health System is one of the largest non-profit health care systems in New Jersey, providing a vast array of health care services across seven award-winning hospitals and more than 400 outpatient locations. Atlantic Medical Group is the organization’s network of more than 1,000 providers, spanning more than 65 specialties throughout New Jersey.

ABOUT CENTRASTATE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM

CentraState Healthcare System is a fully accredited, not-for-profit, community-based health system that provides comprehensive health services in the central New Jersey region. In addition to offering a full range of leading-edge diagnostic and treatment options, CentraState serves as a valuable health partner focused on the latest ways to prevent disease, promote healthy behaviors, and help people of all ages live life well. Based in Freehold, CentraState is comprised of a 284-bed acute-care hospital, a vibrant health and wellness campus, three award-winning senior living communities, a charitable foundation, and four convenient satellite health pavilions. The system also offers a family medicine residency and geriatric fellowship training program in affiliation with Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. Among its many honors and accreditations, CentraState is one of only 2 percent of hospitals nationwide to earn Magnet® designation for nursing excellence four times. To learn more, visit centrastate.com.

ABOUT ATLANTIC HEALTH SYSTEM

Atlantic Health System is at the forefront of medicine, setting standards for quality health care in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and the New York metropolitan area. Powered by a workforce of more than 18,000 team members and 4,800 affiliated physicians dedicated to building healthier communities, Atlantic Health System serves more than half of the state of New Jersey including 11 counties and 4.9 million people. The not-for-profit system offers more than 400 sites of care, including seven hospitals: Morristown Medical Center in Morristown, NJ, Overlook Medical Center in Summit, NJ, Newton Medical Center in Newton NJ, Chilton Medical Center in Pompton Plains, NJ, Hackettstown Medical Center in Hackettstown, NJ, Goryeb Children’s Hospital in Morristown, NJ, and Atlantic Rehabilitation Institute in Madison, NJ.

Atlantic Medical Group, comprised of 1,000 physicians and advanced practice providers, represents one of the largest multi-specialty practices in New Jersey and joins Atlantic Accountable Care Organization and Optimus Healthcare Partners as part of Atlantic Alliance, a Clinically Integrated Network of more than 2,500 health care providers throughout northern and central NJ.

Atlantic Health System provides care for the full continuum of health care needs through 16 urgent care centers, Atlantic Visiting Nurse and Atlantic Anywhere Virtual Visits. Facilitating the connection between these services on both land and air is the transportation fleet of Atlantic Mobile Health.

Atlantic Health System leads the Healthcare Transformation Consortium, a partnership of seven regional hospitals and health systems dedicated to improving access and affordability and is a founding member of the PIER Consortium – Partners in Innovation, Education, and Research – a streamlined clinical trial system that will expand access to groundbreaking research across five health systems in the region.

Atlantic Health System has a medical school affiliation with Thomas Jefferson University and is home to the regional campus of the Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Morristown and Overlook Medical Centers and is the official health care partner of the New York Jets.