How We Got Here

History:

In 1963 two African American women, Alvan Martin and Susan Scott, met with Joel Leyner, a Jersey City attorney to discuss the possibility of opening a birth control clinic in Jersey City. They were aware that community physicians were not giving birth control advice because they were afraid of losing their affiliations at the local hospitals. They also knew the pressing need of the community for reproductive education & services.

Each year, our providers deliver healthcare services to over 19,000 patients and handle more than 58,000 outpatient visits annually. Horizon Health Center’s diverse employee base includes Physicians, Dentists, Certified Nurse Midwives, Advanced Practice Nurses, and other medical staff. Our allied employees are fluent in most foreign languages and dialects.

We are JCAHO accredited and have all the innovative technology that is expected of a major medical center. At the same time, our atmosphere is small enough to ensure that our patients receive patient-centered compassionate care, resulting in a perfect blend of sensitivity and advanced technology.

Today, years after its humble inception at an Episcopal parish house clinic run by volunteers on Saturday mornings, Horizon Health Center offers full primary care, women’s health and dental services, among others. Not only does it function successfully as a primary care agency, but also as a referral agency for a diverse range of social, educational, and medical concerns. What began in the early 1960’s with a few doctors donating a couple of hours each weekend and board members manning the telephone, is today a complex and vital health care organization whose policy guidance is provided by physicians, attorneys, educators, business people and consumers who serve on its Board of Directors. Medical policies are overseen by a Medical Director and Ob/Gyn Board Certified physicians. The staff also includes certified OB/Gyn nurse practitioners, registered nurses, certified nurse midwives, licensed practical nurses, licensed clinical social workers, laboratory technicians, counseling and educational professionals as well as administrative and clerical staff. Spanish and Arabic staff is available to better serve our multi-lingual patients.

Highlights (1963-2011):

1963	Volunteers start a Family Planning Clinic in a Jersey City church
1979	The Board withdraws membership from Planned Parenthood Federation of America to become an independent, private non-profit organization because of a desire to expand services. Our name is now Health Services of Hudson County.
1983	The prenatal clinic opens with Maternal and Child Health Grant from the State of New Jersey and quickly expands into a full maternity service program providing prenatal, labor, delivery, and postpartum care.
1984	HIV/AIDS education, testing and counseling begins
1988	Health Services of Hudson County becomes a Maternity and Pediatric HealthStart provider
1991	Horizon Health Center becomes our new name. Facilities at 714 are renovated and expanded, and the Teen Center opens. Horizon is a plaintiff in the Rust v. Sullivan U.S. Supreme Court Case, a.k.a. “The Gag Rule.”
1993	The Health Center expands to provide primary care services, continuing its emphasis on maternal and child health. Horizon is approved as a Federally Qualified Health Center-Look Alike, providing better reimbursement closer-to-actual cost for services to Medicaid patients, and allowing further improvements in access, quality and the scope of services.
1994	New Jersey mandates that all Hudson County Medicaid clients join managed care organizations. Horizon elects to affiliate with Liberty Health Care System, a network that includes Jersey City Medical Center, Greenville Hospital, Meadowlands Hospital Medical Center, Jersey City Family Health Center, Liberty Health Plan HMO, Liberty Home Health Agency and other entities.
1996	Services are expanded to include colposcopy and other gynecological procedures
1997	Services are expanded to include Mental Health. Horizon purchases three buildings and three parking lots for expansion of services. A grant from the state of New Jersey is awarded to construct a Dental Suite at 714 Bergen Ave. Renovations on 706 Bergen commence as well with a grant from Hudson County
1999	Horizon received its first 330 funding grant to become a funded Federally Qualified Health Center. Two more School Based Clinics at Ferris and Lincoln High Schools were opened, bringing the total to four.
2000	A Mobile Medical van was purchased with a grand and wider community outreach began to reach out to HIV positive women
2003	Horizon Health Center expands to a second location at 412 Summit Ave and receives accreditation from the Joint Commission.
2005	Marilyn Cintron appointed CEO of Horizon Health Center
2006	Joint Commission re-accredited
2007	Horizon FACES transitions into Family Success Center in Jersey City
2008	Horizon embarks in a $10m capital campaign that seeks to implement new technological and digital practices through upgrading information technology and re-designing our facilities. As part of this initiative, Horizon begins the move to Electronic Health Records to better maintain patient information across multiple locations
2009	Horizon expands Dental Services with funding from Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation and Increase Demand Services Stimulus funding. Horizon receives AARA funds to become paperless. Joint Commission re-accredited.
2010	Horizon adds a third primary care facility in Bayonne – the first Federally Qualified Health Center in Bayonne.
2011	Horizon applies for Patient Centered Medical Home Status