Urban Healthcare Initiative Program’s Mission
Urban Healthcare Initiative Program (UHIP), is a non-profit community based program founded by Dr. Alexander G. Salerno. UHIP’s mission is to educate inner city underserved residents where they congregate, regarding the health issues impacting their lives.
The more one understands about how the “Human Machine” works, the better one is able to make informed decisions concerning the care of their body, and/or the care and treatment plans of a loved one.
UHIP works to help patients better understand the healthcare process and develop skills to self-advocate for expected levels of quality treatment, care, and follow-up services. Never be afraid to ask those important questions when your personal health or that of a loved one is at risk.


Knowledge is Power
All to often clients go to their provider for a perceived medical condition and have very little time to actually talk to their provider about the diagnosis, prescribed medications or the treatment plan he or she is instructed to follow. Patients often leave their medical appointment and are therefore left without the proper understanding and tools to make educated decisions concerning their personal health. This can lead to poor health related outcomes.
UHIP, through community-based group meetings strives to promote preventive care, regular screenings, and better interactions with medical providers. Where possible, UHIP partners with the Community Health Outreach Program (CHOP), to coordinate the provision of onsite healthcare services and screenings to individuals age 18 and older, who have difficulty accessing medical systems.
UHIP strives to improve an individual’s health awareness and medical awareness through health talks which focus on our “Seven Health Pillars”; Diabetes/Obesity, Hypertension/Cardiovascular Disease, COPD, Chronic Kidney Disease, HIV and Infectious Disease, Cancer Screenings and Aging/Dementia/Depression/Dying. Our health talks are conducted at local community organizations, which include houses of worship, behavioral/transitional living centers, senior centers, civic centers, barbershops/beauty salons, and other community centers. Where they congregate.
Learning Center
UHIP’s strives to improve education, screenings, and medical management tools around our seven health pillars. Let’s learn to live a healthy life.
Video Blog
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Our Team
UHIP strives to increase patient healthcare knowledge and provider accountability around the seven “health pillars. Meet our management team.
UHIP/CHOP Calendar
Visit the UHIP/CHOP calendar page to identify outreach events in your community. Call our office to learn more about creating your own UHIP local community event
Articles
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Resource Center
UHIP links with many community partners in our delivery of services. Please take advantage of these shared resources within the community.
Testimonials
What People are Saying

“I have personally witnessed an improved quality of life…”
“As pastor of Messiah Baptist Church of East Orange, New Jersey, I am grateful for the efforts provided by the UHIP and CHOP staff to our church. Since its inception, UHIP has helped to inform and transform lives by addressing the 7 Health Pillars that affect our community. I have personally witnessed an improved quality of life from countless persons in our church and surrounding neighborhood, and it’s due, in part, to the vision and presence of UHIP/CHOP in our church. It’s good to know that as we strive to promote healthy spiritual lives at Messiah, UHIP/CHOP is helping to promote healthy physical lives.”
Rev. Dana P. Owens – Messiah Baptist Church East Orange, NJ

“Is Greatly Needed & fully supported by our congregation”
(excerpt from letter)
“Please accept this letter of support for the services by UHIP in collaboration with the New Hope Now Community Development Corporation. …UHIP and its current initiative for providing quality outreach health education training services within our community and congregation is greatly needed and fully supported by our congregation.”
Francis J. Dixon, Executive Director, New Hope Now Community Development Corporation

“UHIP wins 3 Gold Hermes Awards for Innovative Programing”
Groundbreaking “Knowledge is Power” Web-Based Video Series, which seeks to Empower Urban Communities through Straight Talk about Dire Health Issues, Win Gold in Three Categories.
EAST ORANGE, N.J.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The Urban Healthcare Initiative Program (UHIP) has won three gold statuettes at this year’s international Hermes Creative Awards for its groundbreaking, innovative web-based video series aimed at addressing the dire need for better quality of life in urban communities.
The Hermes Creative Awards are an international competition for creative professionals involved in the concept, writing and design of traditional materials and programs, and emerging technologies. The Awards are sponsored by the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals. The Association was started in 1995 as a means to honor outstanding achievement and service to the communication profession. As part of its mission, AMCP fosters and supports the efforts of marketing and communication professionals who contribute their unique talents to public service and charitable organization.

“UHIP Wins Prestigious Telly Awards for Ground Breaking Health Education…”
The Urban Healthcare Initiative Program (UHIP) has received top honors and has won several awards at this year’s prestigious Telly Awards for its groundbreaking, innovative video series aimed at addressing the dire need for better quality of life in our urban communities.
UHIP’s “Knowledge Is Power” video series took home two Bronze Telly Awards in the Education and Social Issues categories. The series features respected physician influencers, like Dr. Alexander Salerno, a second-generation physician of Salerno Medical Associates, a primary care, multi-specialty practice serving Northern New Jersey’s urban communities since the early 1950’s. The videos take on some of the most pressing health issues in the African American and Latino communities…
Founded by Dr. Alexander Salerno in 2010, the Urban Healthcare Initiative Program, also known as UHIP, is a non-profit, community-based program that uses a 360-degree, fresh approach to health literacy, “We are honored to be recognized and to have won,” said Dr. Alexander Salerno, who launched the program after becoming frustrated with healthcare outcomes in his urban community. “There is a growing disparity when it comes to healthcare metrics and healthcare outcomes in our urban communities. Because of that, there is failing healthcare and failing quality of life. I want to change that. If we can educate the public on the importance of preventive healthcare, we will not only save lives but also reduce the burden on our healthcare system” said Dr. Alexander Salerno.
“Awards like this are so important to raise our visibility and help get more support, said Dr. Alexander Salerno, “My ultimate goal is to expand UHIP and its message to urban areas across the country.” To find out more about the videos series and see the videos that were honored click here.
About the Telly Awards – Founded in 1979, the Telly Awards is the premier award honoring outstanding content for TV and Cable, Digital and Streaming, and Non-Broadcast distribution. The Telly Awards annually showcases the best work of the most respected advertising agencies, production companies, television stations, cable operators, and corporate video departments in the world. The Telly Awards is a widely known and highly respected national and international competition and received over 12,000 entries from all 50 states and 5 continents.
Benefits of the UHIP Program
- Community Based “Health Literacy Training Program” events designed for ages 18 and older
- Small Group “Health Talks,” focusing on a specific health topic of importance
- “Ask the Doctor” meetings, where you can ask our providers health related questions
- Sunday morning physician health talks, alined with scripture integrated into the local worship service
- Nutrition and Weight Management Seminars/Workshops
- “Biggest Looser” weight lost motivational program
- Healthy Cooking workshop series
- Medication management and medication interaction workshops
- Community Leaders Workshop series, Health Care Education 101, classes for the common-man/woman
- Diabetes “Pit Crew” Workshop seminar on building your medical support team
- “Aging in the Home” – Health Talks for Seniors and Care Givers
- Advance Directive Workshop and Panel Discussion
- Growing network of outreach service locations
- Through the Community Healthcare Outreach Program (CHOP), where available access to primary and preventive healthcare services where available
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UHIP Hours of Operation
Urban Healthcare Initiative Program
570 Park Avenue
East Orange, New Jersey 07017
Phone: (973) 676-8447
Email: info@UHIPNJ.org
MON – FRI
9:00am – 5:00pm
SAT/SUN
As per events scheduled
Drop Us a Line
Don’t be shy. Let us know if you have any questions!