Community Medical Center (CMC) opened in 1961 and is a fully accredited acute care hospital. CMC offers many services including advanced cancer care, cardiac care, neurological care, surgical services, obstetric care, a dedicated pediatric unit and more.

CMC has begun its journey to become an academic medical center. During the summer of 2021, the hospital welcomed its first residents—12 in Internal Medicine, 12 in Emergency Medicine and three in Podiatry. CMC will introduce the Surgery Residency Program in 2022 with the Transition Year Program following in 2023, bringing more trainees to the hospital. The goal is to provide medical education to 117 residents by 2026.

CMC is turning a patient care unit into resident accommodations. The space will include resident lounges, study rooms, conference and learning spaces and program director offices. Another project involves creating a medical clinic, which will play an important role in training residents in primary care. Under the supervision of a faculty member, residents will gain firsthand experience providing care, develop professional relationships with patients and learn how to improve the quality of care they provide.

To support the Graduate Medical Education (GME) program at CMC, the Grunin Foundation has committed $2 million over five years.

Studies have shown that quality of care and patient outcomes are better in teaching hospitals than in non-teaching facilities, because when physicians teach, they are reviewed by peers, students and themselves. Additionally, the CMC GME program will be an economic driver for Toms River and the surrounding region. The goal is to not only bring residents in, but retain them after training. CMC’s residency program will likely have an impact on the community for many years to come.

RWJBarnabas Health is addressing equity and systemic racism and promoting an anti-racist culture throughout the organization and community it serves. It knows that diversity and inclusion are essential for the overall health of its patients, employees, and surrounding communities. RWJBarnabas Health takes a comprehensive and strategic approach to address health disparities in our communities and works to play a major role in improving health outcomes for underserved communities across New Jersey. 

The CMC GME program is focused on attracting, recruiting and amplifying a diverse group of residents and leaders for the community. Diversity in the physician workforce will positively impact healthcare access and patient outcomes.