ABOUT US

NJCRI distinguishes itself by its over 30 year history of providing HIV/AIDS care and treatment to individuals in Northern New Jersey. We are a strong integrated team between all our departments and our full service model, makes NJCRI unique and a welcome oasis for our community.   We will continue to adapt and support our clients with essential and innovative services.

The North Jersey Community Research Initiative (NJCRI) is one of New Jersey’s largest and most comprehensive HIV/AIDS community-based organization.

Our mission is to "empower our clients by reducing social and health disparities in the greater Newark area.”

Over the past 30 years of service NJCRI has adapted and changed to rally the fight against HIV/AIDS, as well as providing important social services to our community. In 1988, the initial focus was to provide clinical trials in Newark so those that were infected with the HIV virus could gain access to promising investigational treatments. At that time patients were required to travel to New York to receive these services. NJCRI was the first AIDS service organization in New Jersey to provide medical care to those with HIV.  Our staff have published more than 30 research articles and have presented their research findings at local, national and international AIDS conferences. 
 

Today with over 40 different grant-funded programs, NJCRI continues to be on the cutting edge of HIV treatment. We understand that HIV is much larger than just a medical issue, and take pride in providing those in the midst of health disparities with the opportunity to improve their quality of life.  We have taken a holistic approach by streamlining all our services and creating a one-stop resource center for our clients. Named after an esteemed and respected former colleague, the Dr. George Perez Medical Care Center provides care and treatment to both HIV negative and HIV positive patients alike. 

Additional services we offer include behavioral research, transgender medical care, pediatrics, primary medical care, chronic illness management education, street outreach, substance use treatment, transportation, mental health/psychiatric services, food pantry, syringe exchange, an adult drop-in center for the homeless , and many LGBTQ services including a drop-in center for LGBTQ youth. We are also strong community advocates and provide technical assistance to other community-based organizations in our area. Approximately over  10,000 people avail themselves of our confidential services each year

OUR SERVICES

 | MORE INFORMATION ON PATIENT CARE |

 | MORE INFORMATION ON COMMUNITY SERVICES |

 | MORE INFORMATION ON LGBTQ SERVICES |

33

Years of Experience

9,500

Clients served yearly

 on average 

40+

Grant funded sources

80

Dedicated Staff

OUR BOARD

Board President

John V. Jacobi, Esq

Professor of Health Law at

Seton Hall University

Member since: 2001

Board Treasurer

Thomas A. Flynn,

MBA, FACHE

Administrator,

Chief Compliance Officer

Member since: 2004

Board Secretary

Donald Ransom, CSW

Reverend, Unity Fellow Church of Christ Newark

Member since: 2012

Board Member

Claire K. McMAhon, MD, FAAP, FACC

Member since: 2013

Board Member

Anthony Smith, MBA

Executive Director Lincoln Park Coast Cultural District

Member since: 2011

Board Member

Mervin. I Griffin, MD, FAAEM

CEO Population Analytic

Member Since: 2017

OUR DIRECTORS

Brian McGovern, MSW, LSW

Chief Executive Officer

Joseph Rothenberg, MBA

Chief Financial Officer

Awilda Rivera, BS

Director of Operations

Ronald Poblete, M.D.

Medical Director

Anny Pastor, MBA, RN

Director of Nursing

Henry Iwuala

Director of Behavioral Health

Corey DeStefano

Director of Research

Jason Dotson

Director of LGBTQ Services

Russell Miller

Director of Development