Hardyston, NJ – April 15, 2025 – Nonprofit community health center Zufall Health was honored with the 2025 David C. Herzenberg Award at the Sussex County Chamber of Commerce’s 38th Annual Toast to the Stars luncheon on Thursday, April 10. The award is presented annually to one organization making a significant contribution to the health and well-being of Sussex County residents through the direct delivery of health care and human services activities.
Zufall provides comprehensive medical, dental, behavioral health, and supportive services to patients regardless of insurance status or ability to pay, making it a critical and often lifesaving resource for Sussex County’s most underserved residents. Headquartered in Dover, Zufall operates across northern and central New Jersey, including their Newton site that opened in 2016. Demand for services in Newton has surged in recent years. In 2024, more than 4,000 patients received care at the site which included 14,000 visits. This represented an increase of approximately 18% and 29%, respectively, from the previous year.
One of those patients is named Raven, who turned to Zufall Health – Newton nearly a decade ago after losing her job and health insurance. Without access to medical care, she would have been unable to manage the severe asthma that had previously landed her in the hospital. Although she now has insurance, she continues to rely on the health center for her care. “The care here is phenomenal and is a one-stop shop for everything I need,” Raven says. “And by helping those of us who can’t always afford the high cost of health care, Zufall truly saves lives.”
In addition to stories like Raven’s, one of Zufall’s most impactful contributions to Sussex County in 2024 was the launch of its Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) program for individuals in recovery from addiction and substance use disorders. The program addresses a long-standing gap in local care access—particularly for uninsured and Medicaid-enrolled residents—and is fully integrated into primary care at all Zufall locations.
“Zufall Health has proven time and again that high-quality care doesn’t have to be out of reach for anyone,” said Frances Palm, Zufall’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “This award is a testament to the hard work of our dedicated staff, who go above and beyond every day to ensure that patients in Sussex County—and across our region—get the care they need and deserve.”
About Zufall Health
Zufall Health is an award-winning nonprofit community health center providing access to quality, affordable, and culturally responsive health care for people and communities who experience barriers to care. Nearly 52,000 patients are served annually at its 15 service sites, including two mobile vans, across seven counties in northern and central New Jersey. For more information, visit zufallhealth.org.
Photo: The David C. Herzenberg Award was accepted by Zufall Health’s President and CEO Fran Palm (second from right), SVP of External Affairs David Woods (second from left), and Sussex County Outreach Representative Geovani Estacio-Carrillo (far right), pictured with Chamber Trustee Lidia Zdunek, at the Crystal Springs Resort in Hardyston, NJ.
Zufall Health is a NJ state-licensed, 501(c)(3) nonprofit, federally qualified health center that provides access to high-quality, affordable medical, dental, and behavioral care for people and communities who face barriers to care. Zufall also offers enabling services including eligibility assistance, case management, transportation, health literacy training, outreach, and translation.
