Continued collaboration will increase access to and improve pediatric and maternal healthcare by exchanging best practices and life science and pharmaceutical innovations.

Toronto, Ontario — Choose New Jersey, New Jersey’s leading nonprofit business attraction organization, as part of its Governor-led mission to Canada, on Sep 9th, announced that New Jersey First Lady Tammy Murphy, Rutgers University Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Antonio Calcado, and Ramapo College President Cindy Jebb visited The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto (SickKids). The visit is a step forward in establishing a collaboration between the universities, and Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.

“I am deeply impressed with the transformative work underway at SickKids to improve the lives of so many mothers and babies in North America,” said First Lady Tammy Murphy. “As First Lady of New Jersey, one of my biggest priorities has been combating our state’s maternal and infant health crisis, with the overall goal of making our state the safest, most equitable place in the United States to deliver and raise a baby. As home to some of the most highly educated and talented healthcare workers on the planet, Canada and New Jersey are highly capable of reaching this overall goal together and beyond our two regions by supporting and expanding initiatives that lead to a healthier future for mothers and babies.”

The group discussed ongoing government efforts to improve and increase access to pediatric healthcare and training the next generation of pediatric experts. 

New Jersey-based researchers are working on several projects with SickKids, including:

• A collaborative study with Rutgers Cancer Institute and the University of Toronto to improve chemotherapy-induced nausea control
• Robert Wood Johnson Medical School’s research project funded by a grant from the National Institutes of Health to examine the impact of placental abruption and maternal and newborn long-term cardio and cerebrovascular events 
• Robert Wood Johnson Medical School’s study about how changes in a mouse’s microbiome affect brain development and behavior
• Two research projects with Robert Wood Johnson Medical School focusing on childhood arthritis and rheumatolog
• A study with Robert Wood Johnson Medical School about brain development and schizophrenia

"Our visit to SickKids highlights the importance of collaborative research in advancing maternal and children's health," said Antonio Calcado, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Rutgers University. "The innovative research being conducted at Rutgers and SickKids is paving the way for new discoveries and improved healthcare outcomes for families in New Jersey and beyond. We are proud to be part of an international effort to share knowledge and drive meaningful change in pediatric and maternal health."

"It is an honor to be part of collaborative efforts between New Jersey and Canada, working together to advance maternal and children's health," said Cindy Jebb, President of Ramapo College. "At Ramapo College, we believe in the power of collaboration and shared knowledge to address global health challenges. This visit to SickKids is a testament to our commitment to fostering innovation and improving health outcomes for families across borders."

In 2021, the First Lady unveiled the Nurture NJ Maternal and Infant Health Strategic Plan—a blueprint to improve New Jersey’s maternal and infant health outcomes. Under the plan, New Jersey has rolled out a statewide universal nurse home visitation program, established Medicaid coverage for doula care, expanded Medicaid to a full year postpartum, and launched the Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Authority, among other milestones.

"We are thrilled to welcome First Lady Tammy Murphy and our esteemed colleagues from Rutgers University to SickKids," said Dr. Ronald Cohn, President & CEO of The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto (SickKids). "As Canada’s leading pediatric hospital, we share the commitment to improving child health and look forward to continuing to collaborate with pediatric experts in New Jersey and around the globe."

SickKids Centre for Global Child Health, led by world-renowned experts in maternal, newborn, and child health, is dedicated to directly and indirectly improving the lives of children and their families in resource-poor environments through collaboration in ground-breaking research, sustainable capacity building through education, and by informing policy through the active use of advocacy, knowledge synthesis, and knowledge translation.

"First Lady Tammy Murphy's visit to SickKids underscores our shared commitment to advancing maternal and children's health," said Lisa Asare, President and CEO of the New Jersey Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Authority. "Through the New Jersey Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Authority, international partnerships, and research collaborations, we are working together to reduce maternal mortality, morbidity, and disparities, benefiting families in New Jersey and around the world. This visit highlights the critical importance of cross-border cooperation in improving health outcomes for our most vulnerable populations."

Reporters interested in more information on the New Jersey Canada economic mission may contact Mahen Gunaratna ([email protected]) and Ingrid Austin ([email protected]) or visit choosenj.com/CanadaMission for additional details.