About Us
Building upon more than a decade-long history of partnering with communities with substantial health disparities, Rutgers School of Health Professions’ Physician Assistant Program launched the Health Outreach Practice Experience (HOPE) clinic in Plainfield in July 2021.
Our Mission
To reduce healthcare disparities by increasing access to free patient centric primary care while training students to address socioeconomic barriers to care.
Our Values
A welcoming and inclusive practice that respects patients’ dignity, individual stories, and circumstances.
Our partnership with patients on their health journey.
Students learning by serving in the community.
The dedication, passion, and knowledge of our faculty clinicians and staff.
Our community and philanthropic partners who support our mission and vision.
Research that informs the delivery of high quality, patient-centered care for our patients.
Research that informs excellence in education for our students.
Our Team
Frank Giannelli, Ph.D., PA-C
Director
Elizabeth Di Prospero, MD
Medical Director
Jessica Gomes, M.S., PA-C
Clinic Committee
Thea Cogan-Drew, DScPAS, PA-C
Clinic Commitee
Jennifer Joseph, DHSc, PA-C
Clinic Committee
Elizabeth Di Prospero, MD
Board Certified Internal Medicine Physician
Nancy Daly, RN
Nurse
Monica Benjamin, M.S., PA-C
Physician Assistant
Alyssa Carbajal, DScPAS, PA-C
Physician Assistant
Thea Cogan-Drew, DScPAS, PA-C
Physician Assistant
Melissa Eiseman, M.S., PA-C
Physician Assistant
Frank Giannelli, Ph.D., PA-C
Physician Assistant
Jessica Gomes, M.S., PA-C
Physician Assistant
Jennifer Joseph, DHSc, PA-C
Physician Assistant
Erin Marthedal, M.S., PA-C
Physician Assistant
Nkechi Mbadugha, M.S., PA-C
Physician Assistant
Matthew McQuillan, DMSc, PA-C
Physician Assistant
Claire O’Connell, DrPH, PA-C
Physician Assistant
Lori Palfreyman, DHSc, PA-C
Physician Assistant
Marja van Ouwerkerk, M.S., PA-C
Physician Assistant
Denise Rizzolo, Ph.D., PA-C
Physician Assistant
Erich Vidal, DHSc, PA-C
Physician Assistant
Matthew Wright, M.S., PA-C
Physician Assistant