Amy PapiChair
WHI Advocacy & Community Outreach
Amy Papi has held the position of registered governmental affairs agent for the state of NJ as an Associate Advisor for Political Strategy. She also served as Executive Director for NJ Advisory Council on Safety and Health, representing WC Petitioner Attorneys, Labor & Physicians. Further, she has served as Chief of Staff to both Senator Barbara Buono and Assemblyman Peter J. Barnes, Jr. and in this capacity oversaw the drafting of legislation, organizing public appearances, campaign rallies, managing fundraising events, creating press releases and coordinating community activities. She is active in many community organizations including the Coalition for Healthy Communities( Wellspring Center for Prevention). At Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School (RWJMS) she is a member of the Women’s Health Institute (WHI), with activities including traveling to Yale University to speak on “How a Bill becomes Law." As part of the WHI, she is an integral member of the One Health Initiative, and the Gender Center of NJ and for her work has received the WHI Recognition Award. With her assistance Assemblywoman Nancy Pinkin visited RWJMS and presented at the Ob/Gyn Departmental Grand Rounds a Joint Senate and Assembly Resolution honoring the many great women doctors who are constantly studying and researching issues that enhance health. In addition, she organized a meeting with Rutgers physicians and staff to visit the State House and meet with Health Chairman Senator Joe Vitale to discuss women’s issues. Through her efforts, the bill legislating Maternal Health Awareness Day every January 23rd was passed. Further, she invited Congressman Frank Pallone to the Women’s Health Institute to work with the WHI on OB/GYN issues. She is now instrumental in legislative efforts regarding the NJ One Health Task Force. Amy Papi also is an Auxiliary Board Member of Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, a licensed Property, Casualty and Health Insurance Producer, a member of the East Brunswick Zoning Board and a member of the East Brunswick Commission on Aging. She has been honored by the New Jersey General Assembly Women's Caucus during “Women’s History Month” in the Assembly Chamber (Resolution from the 18th & 19th Senate and General Assembly, Commendation from Congressman Frank Pallone), the Middlesex County American-Hungarian Democratic Organization and the Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders. As a coalition member of NCADD-NJ she received the 2017 NCADD-NJ Advocacy Leaders award (Resolution presented by Sen. Patrick Diegnan). Other recognitions include advocacy member of Wellspring Center for Prevention, recipient of 2013 Peg Roberts Award, and the chairing of the 44th National Federation of Democratic Women Annual Convention in Atlantic City hosted by NJFDW/National FDW.
Pamela Brug, MD, MS Dr. Pamela Brug, MD, MS is a board certified obstetrician-gynecologist in New Jersey and is affiliated with Hackensack Meridian Health Raritan Bay Medical Center and Hackensack University Medical Center. She received her medical degree from Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and has been in practice for more than 20 years. Dr. Brug is also on faculty at Rutgers University Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences. She has received several teaching and community awards throughout her career. Her interest in disparities in health care has led her to address black maternal and infant morbidity and mortality especially in New Jersey.
Dr. Brug is the founder of the New Jersey Black Women Physician Association. The non profit’s mission is Education, Advocacy and Mentoring. Founded to address black maternal health disparities in particular black maternal mortality.
Linda Sloan Locke, CNM, MPH, LSW, FACNM, MidwifeLinda has a career-long commitment to the health of women, adolescents and all birthing people, health disparities, social and reproductive justice justice, the intersection of health and mental health, and the impact of violence on health. She obtained her BSN and MPH from the University of Michigan, her Midwifery Certificate from SUNY Downstate, and MSW from Rutgers University with a certificate in Violence Against Women and Children. During her career of over 45 years , she has practiced midwifery in a variety of settings, including Planned Parenthood, FQHC’s, private solo midwifery practice ,teaching, and practice both community and teaching hospitals, including the position Chief of Midwifery at St Joseph’s Medical Center for over 25 years. As a social worker she has been an in-home therapist, and currently works as a consultant. Linda has been active in midwifery in many roles, and now chairs the ACNM NJ Affiliate Diversity,Equity and Inclusion Committee. She serves on the Boards of the NJ Coalition Against Sexual Assault , and the New Jersey Healthcare Quality Institute. She also is the Co-Chair of the Perinatal Disparities Work-Group, of the NJ Perinatal Quality Collaborative and sits on the NJ Maternal Mortality review committee. She is the founding chair of the NJ Health Cares about Domestic and Sexual Violence Collaborative, which envisions a healthcare culture in NJ where all providers in all settings recognize the prevalence and health impact of domestic and sexual violence, and trauma-informed care is the standard.
She is part of Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Jegna Council—a 15-member advisory group that will guide and advise our New Jersey grantmaking team as they strive to more effectively center equity in our work and build power across the state. "Jegna" is an ancient African concept conveying distinction, respect, and honor. A Jegna is someone who synthesizes wisdom from lifelong experiences and formulates it into a legacy for future generations. In creating this group, they recognize the importance of understanding the root causes of pressing health challenges in New Jersey and eliciting the perspectives of a variety of people, including those with lived experiences, community partners, advocates, academics, and policymakers. The Jegna Council will help us intentionally focus on advancing health and wellbeing in New Jersey communities that have historically lacked opportunities to live the healthiest lives possible.
Calvin SchwartzCalvin Schwartz is a novelist, journalist at njdiscover.com, a broadcaster, producing and co-hosting NJ Discover Live TV Show (cable), a recent lecturer/teacher at Rutgers University, teaching Career Explorations, a frequent student mentor at Rutgers’ Road to Communication and Media Program and is developing a podcast, “Conversations with Calvin; WE the SpecIES™ “ where medical, scientific, academic, creative, artistic, etc. people are interviewed. Calvin is part of Advocacy and Outreach at Women’s Health Institute. ar nisl.