NaphCare Partner Middlesex County Office of Adult Corrections and Youth Services Awarded NCCHC Pinnacle Award

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama & MIDDLESEX COUNTY, New Jersey – In collaboration with leading correctional healthcare company, NaphCare, Inc., the Middlesex County Office of Adult Corrections and Youth Services was awarded the Pinnacle Award by the National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC). The NCCHC Pinnacle Award is the highest honor in correctional health care and underscores Middlesex County’s dedication to high-quality care in its facilities. This is the second-ever Pinnacle Award in the nation and recognizes the County’s achievement of NCCHC accreditation in three separate service areas - jail health services, mental health services and opioid treatment programs (OTP). NCCHC accreditation indicates adherence to the highest nationally recognized standards of care in each category.

Accreditation is granted after a rigorous survey by correctional health care experts who have been specially trained as surveyors to assess compliance with NCCHC’s nationally recognized standards on governance and administration; health promotion, safety, and disease prevention; personnel and training; ancillary health care services; patient care and treatment; special needs and services; and medical-legal issues.

“Achieving accreditation is a demanding process that takes time, commitment, and dedication from the administration, staff, and correctional health care team all working together,” said Amy Panagopoulos, MBA, BSN, NCCHC’s Vice President of Accreditation. “Achieving three accreditations is truly a remarkable accomplishment, proof of Middlesex County’s dedication to quality patient care. Your hard work and commitment is an inspiration to other correctional facilities around the country.”

“A fundamental part of managing a safe and secure jail is understanding the population in our care. Our experience shows that the vast majority of those in our care suffer from underlying mental health and substance use disorders,” said Middlesex County Warden Mark Cranston. “Achieving accreditation for medical care from NCCHC, the national leader in this space, along with accreditation in the treatment of mental health and substance use disorders is rare. In fact, we are only the second facility nationally to do so. This is a testament to all our staff, medical and custody, and our NaphCare team who have dedicated themselves to the hard work it takes to achieve such an honor.”

“Middlesex County continues to lead the way in corrections, protecting inmate health while continuing to uphold public safety,” said Middlesex County Commissioner Director Ronald G. Rios. “This award reflects the decades of service, professionalism, and integrity embodied by our Corrections employees. I congratulate Warden Cranston and his team for this well-deserved recognition.”

NaphCare partners with Middlesex County to provide proactive, patient-focused healthcare, including medical and mental health care, pharmacy, and telehealth services at Middlesex County Office of Adult Corrections and Youth Services facilities in North Brunswick, NJ. Since 2016, NaphCare has partnered with the County to ensure quality healthcare services that align with NCCHC standards. This includes developing and implementing improved opioid withdrawal protocols as well as a Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) program to better address patients’ underlying Opioid Use Disorders.

“NaphCare is proud to partner with Middlesex County in achieving this prestigious recognition in correctional health care,” said Brad McLane, Chief Executive Officer of NaphCare. “Earning three accreditations highlight their dedication to delivering quality care, and we look forward to furthering our impactful collaboration.”