By: Community Magazine | December 5, 2022 | | Red Bank
On the Move: While their mission remains unchanged—The VNACJ Community Health Center has a larger space to do the same incredible work
One of the first things you notice about Christopher Rinn, CEO of the VNACJ Community Health Center, is his passion for public health. It may have started years ago when he spent time as a paramedic working in the Jersey City area and bearing witness to the struggle the residents had finding affordable healthcare. Or it was born after hearing the devastating story of Deamonte Driver; the 12-year-old Maryland boy who died of a toothache after his mother was turned away for being uninsured. Bacteria from the abscess in his tooth spread to his brain and killed him. This and other stories like it had an enormous impact on Christopher and he vowed to be a part of the solution.
With over 30 years in the sector, his knowledge and experience have prepared him for the myriad of issues that come up in his role overseeing the Community Health Center, which serves at-risk and high-need families in the community. (The Center is an affiliate of the nonprofit organization VNA Health Group’s Children and Family Health Institute)
His belief that all residents of our state should have access to quality health care services is one that has never changed. Before taking on this role four years ago, he was appointed by then-Governor Christie as New Jersey’s Acting Health Commissioner. While there were plenty of proud moments, one that stands out is the integration of the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services from the Department of Human Services, one of the largest governmental reorganizations in decades. A proud graduate of Columbia University, he oversees all aspects of the Community Health Center, offering primary care, prenatal and dental care. This month, the organization will be relocating to Bridge Avenue in the heart of Red Bank. Serving those that don’t have access and removing barriers are what continue to drive Christopher.
Christopher Rinn of VNACJ stands next to "Red Bank" writing on building in Red Bank
CM: How did your former role in the public health sector inform you for your current position?
Christopher: Before my stint as Acting Health Commissioner, I was the Assistant Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Health, overseeing the Division on Public Health Infrastructure, Laboratories, and Emergency Preparedness. As you can imagine, this role (which I held for nearly eight years) was instrumental in providing experience in leading critical programs that safeguard public health in New Jersey and save lives, it was also invaluable in preparing me for the COVID-19 pandemic. I am proud to say that during my current tenure here, we completed and opened the Freehold Family Health Center and will be opening the new Red Bank center in the downtown section – giving more Monmouth County residents a high-quality, affordable option for their healthcare needs.
CM: What was the driving force behind the relocation to Bridge Avenue? How will this benefit your clientele?
Christopher: Previously, our Red Bank space was in a 2,500-square-foot, second-floor office on East Bergen Place. The size of the building and its location outside of downtown Red Bank created accessibility challenges for the local community. Recognizing the need for a larger, more centralized space, we sought to relocate to an area in town. Our new 4,800-square-foot space is blocks from downtown Red Bank and because it is on the ground level, we are able to provide increased access. Another tremendous benefit is the addition of dental care, as well as increased primary care services, chiropractic, behavioral, and mental health care services. The downtown proximity enables us to work closely with partner organizations like Lunch Break, Red Bank Family YMCA, and St. Anthony’s Church.
CM: What remains the greatest challenge to those who are homebound and in need of care?
Christopher: There are several challenges we still need to address for our homebound residents. Many of these individuals face significant health challenges, including pain and restricted mobility due to their physical conditions, as well as lack of transportation. These are major barriers to social outings and access to health care. When they do leave the house, they usually need assistance and need to make timely appointments. We recognize that difficulty and need for care. Once they make an appointment with us at the VNACJ location closest to them, we can take care of all their healthcare needs. Additionally, we go out into the community through our outreach team to make it easier to access testing and learn about our important services.
CM: What are some of the more pressing changes you would like to see implemented in 2023?
Christopher: We are in a continuous state of working on ways to improve so we can better serve our clients. In addition to opening the larger health center in downtown Red Bank, we are working on expanding services and hiring qualified people. We want to make sure the community knows we are here. We have some of the best physicians and staff working with us. However, one of the key challenges facing healthcare organizations is bringing that patient in. Only once they come in, can we take care of them and begin improving their future health outcomes. Preventative care is one of the best ways to prevent and treat chronic health issues, such as diabetes and hypertension. I would like us to be out in the community more to let people know what we do and how we can help.
CM: How did the idea of the pop-up vaccination sites come to be?
Christopher: When we expanded delivery to all four of our sites, plus five additional centers, we reached a milestone of administering over 100,000 vaccines throughout the community. This was a result of two years of intense outreach and educational efforts by our incredible physicians, nurses, and staff. However, there remained a significant number of folks that could not access our locations. To reach them we partnered with local officials and the NJ EMS Task Force to facilitate a mobile vaccination program that ran throughout May of 2021. We had spots at the Asbury Park Senior Center, Bell Works, and the Red Bank YMCA. We remain all about giving Monmouth County residents a high-quality, affordable option for their health care needs. Increasing our space will inevitably translate to helping more people.
PHOTO CREDIT: Tom Zapcic Photography
Among the many improvements the organization has made this year:
If you are interested in volunteering with the organization, please visit their website at vnachc.org. Specifically, they are looking for greeters in the waiting room.
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