FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 8, 2026
Contact: Candace Zafirellis, NJPCA Senior Coordinator of Communications
(609) 571-7759 (cell) or [email protected]
Community Health Centers, Dignitaries, MCOs, and Stakeholders Gather in Atlantic City for 2026 NJPCA Annual Conference
Atlantic City, New Jersey – The New Jersey Primary Care Association (NJPCA) held its Annual Conference today at Caesars Atlantic City, bringing together Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) from across the State. This two-day conference is held each year to give New Jersey FQHCs the opportunity to network with colleagues and community partners across the Mid-Atlantic region. The conference commences with thought-provoking presentations and expert-led training sessions and concludes with a luncheon honoring one staff member from each health center that has inspired their team with their dedication and commitment to patient care.
“Every year at the Conference, we gather together to celebrate the accomplishments of our centers, recognize our partners for their support, and strategize to expand access to healthcare for all New Jerseyans. And without exception, every year, our centers post remarkable numbers of patients served, access improved, chronic diseases managed and critical health emergencies averted. New Jersey health centers’ unrelenting drive to reduce barriers, create more access, and deliver more integrated, whole-person care are the distinctive traits that is shaping the future of community health,” said Dr. Selina Haq, NJPCA President and CEO.
The theme of this year’s conference was “New Jersey Community Health Centers: Shaping the Future of Community Health,” challenging participants to discover new and innovative ways to improve healthcare for the communities they serve. FQHCs have been at the forefront of providing high quality, affordable healthcare to New Jersey since the 1960s.
“Community Health Centers are at the heart of healthier, stronger communities across New Jersey. Every day, our dedicated professionals lead with compassion, purpose, and an unwavering commitment to expanding access, building trust, and improving lives. As we embrace ‘Shaping the Future of Community Health,’ we celebrate the people and partnerships driving progress today and creating a healthier future for generations to come,” said Dr. Kerri Powell, Neighborhood Health Services Corporation CEO and NJPCA Board Chair.
NJPCA’s Annual Conference commenced on October 7, with intensive sessions addressing financial sustainability, intimate partner violence, and workforce pathways to success. Following these sessions, attendees participated in an Exhibitor Expo and Reception, where sponsors and exhibitors showcased programs, services, and innovations to support health centers in their mission, while also having the opportunity to network with health center staff across New Jersey.
Day two of the conference kicked off with an exhibitor networking breakfast, followed by a series of workshops covering preventive service outcomes, access to care, value-based care, and health center leader and board support. After the sessions, participants had another opportunity to connect with sponsors and exhibitors at the Exhibitor Expo before gathering for the Healthcare Heroes Luncheon.
“The compassionate, dignified care provided by New Jersey’s Federally Qualified Health Centers has strengthened our communities for more than six decades,” said Dr. Stephen Cha, Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Human Services. “Now, more than ever, our neighbors will rely on these providers for the essential health services needed to stay healthy. I am grateful for their ongoing partnership and appreciate the dedicated service that members of the New Jersey Primary Care Association and their staff provide every day.”
At the Healthcare Heroes Luncheon, NJPCA honored Sabrina Cannady, President and CEO of Osborn Family Health Center, as well as Esther Carpenter, President and CEO of Southern Jersey Family Medical Centers, Inc. Both received Community Advocate Extraordinaire Awards for their tireless efforts to advocate for New Jersey health centers.
Over 250 participants, including Health Center CEOs and staff, government officials, managed care organizations, and other community stakeholders attended NJPCA’s 2026 Annual Conference. Special guests from the New Jersey Department of Human Services and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services were also in attendance.
CommonWealth Purchasing Group was the Silver Sponsor and Labcorp and eClinicalWorks were the Bronze Sponsors of the Annual Conference. Special contributions were made by Wellpoint.
The conference concluded with the Healthcare Heroes Ceremony, recognizing 22 FQHC employees who were nominated by health center staff for exceeding their organization’s definition of healthcare excellence.
2026 NJPCA Annual Conference – Healthcare Heroes
The list of Healthcare Heroes from across New Jersey can be found below:
Health Center | Hero Nominee | Job Title |
Alliance Community Healthcare, Inc. | Sandra Lozado | Patient Services Associate |
AtlantiCare Health Services | Nakia Johnson | Customer Service Representative |
CAMcare Health Corporation | Jimmie Young, MD | Internal Medicine Physician |
Central Jersey Medical Center | Priscilla Maranon | Family Nurse Practitioner |
CHEMED (Center for Health Education, Medicine and Dentistry) | Mary Farley, LPN | Nurse Manager |
CompleteCare Health Network | Lernell Williams | Associate Director of Nursing |
Eric B. Chandler Health Center | Beverly O’Shea | Nursing Director |
Henry J. Austin Health Center | Shamere Knox, RN | Supervisor of Nursing |
Jewish Renaissance Foundation | Kacie Rivas | Patient Registrar |
Mary Eliza Mahoney Health Center | Jahmillah Daniel | Quality Management and Risk Coordinator |
Metropolitan Family Health Network | Rytza Lamour, MD | Pediatrician |
Monmouth Family Health Center | Kerri Keselowsky, MD | OB/GYN Physician |
Neighborhood Health Services Corporation | Yvette Adams, LPN | Licensed Practice Nurse |
Newark Community Health Centers, Inc. | Sherly Edouard-Joseph, CMA | Doula/Certified Medical Assistant |
North Hudson Community Action Corporation Health Center | Rebecca Acosta | Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer |
Ocean Health Initiatives, Inc. | Susan Hague | Data Analyst Engineer |
Osborn Family Health Center | Beth Cocchi, RN | Nurse Manager |
Paterson Community Health Center | Waldemar E. Silva, MD | Senior Physician and Chief Medical Officer, Emeritus |
Saint James Health, Inc. | Nicole Byrd Irving | Director of Nursing |
Southern Jersey Family Medical Centers, Inc. | Katherine Yon, MD | Pediatrician |
Visiting Nurse Association of Central Jersey Community Health Center | Eric Tan, APN | Nurse Practitioner |
Zufall Health | Stefany DeMenna | Clinical Training Coordinator |
About the New Jersey Primary Care Association
The New Jersey Primary Care Association (NJPCA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing access to high-quality, comprehensive primary care for all New Jerseyans.
NJPCA represents and supports New Jersey’s community health centers through policy, advocacy, and technical assistance to strengthen the capacity of health centers to deliver affordable and accessible community-based care. The organization plays a central role in convening stakeholders, fostering collaboration, and advancing initiatives that improve health outcomes across New Jersey. For more information about NJPCA, please visit www.njpca.org.
Federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) are in every state across the nation. FQHCs are authorized under Section 330 of the Public Health Services Act to provide healthcare to the medically underserved. Many health centers and their sites are specially designated to serve the needs of special populations including homeless populations, public housing residents, migrant and seasonal farm workers, veterans and school-aged children. For more information about the HRSA Health Center Program, please visit bphc.hrsa.gov/about/index.html.
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For more information and photos, please contact Candace Zafirellis.
