Christie backs plan to reorganize N.J. med schools

A plan to revamp medical education in New Jersey has the backing of Gov. Chris Christie.

The panel recommends reorganizing the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey and refocusing its Newark- based schools in what will be named the Health Sciences University.

Rutgers-Camden and the Cooper Medical School would be folded into Rowan University.

“It’s going to give them an opportunity to be a top-flight university. Have a medical school, have a law school, have a strong undergraduate and graduate programs,” Christie said. “That’s going to allow Rowan to expand its reputation.”

Christie said the changes also will provide a secure and successful future for medical education in New Jersey.

“We cannot compete economically in the state with good but not great educational institutions at any level, and we need to make the steps happen to go from good to great,” he said.

Christie said he’ll work with leaders in the state Legislature to get the plan in place as quickly as possible.