Burlington Review

Virtua Health, a prominent health system in southern New Jersey, has announced a strategic partnership with Unite Us, a technology partner focused on social care transformation. This collaboration aims to enhance care coordination by linking patients to essential community support services.

In its pursuit of health equity, Virtua Health plans to incorporate the Unite Us platform within Epic. This integration will allow clinicians and social workers to efficiently connect patients with both internal and external programs and services. These services include food and nutrition aid, housing support, mental and behavioral health counseling, and financial assistance. The partnership facilitates seamless tracking of referrals and outcomes, enabling personalized care plans that address quality-of-life concerns.

Dan Brillman, co-founder and CEO of Unite Us, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership: “We’re proud to partner with Virtua Health to elevate how coordinated care is delivered in southern New Jersey. This collaboration brings together two innovators with a shared commitment to improving health outcomes through proven technology and community-driven solutions. We’re excited to provide Virtua Health with the integrated workflows and insights needed to address patients’ needs effectively, ensuring access to vital resources that enhance health and well-being for all.”

Once implemented, over 3,000 providers across 400 locations within Virtua Health’s network will use Unite Us to standardize the referral process for Health-Related Social Needs (HRSN). This move aligns Virtua Health with other systems achieving a 99.1% referral acceptance rate within the Unite New Jersey coordinated care network.

John Matsinger, DO, MBA, executive vice president and chief operating officer at Virtua Health stated: “At Virtua Health, we recognize the various factors that shape a person’s health. In addition to providing the best possible medical care, we demonstrate respect for our patients by connecting them to resources and services that can enhance their quality of life and position them for success.”

Debra Moran, MS, senior vice president of health equity and community programs at Virtua Health added: “We chose Unite Us as our technology partner because of their proven ability to connect patients with accountable community resources. This ensures we not only make referrals but also track outcomes to ensure our patients receive the services they need.” She emphasized that “the Unite Us platform empowers us to address health-related social needs effectively,” reflecting their shared vision for healthier communities through innovation.

Non-profit community-based organizations can access the Unite Us platform free of charge.