Student Assistance Facilitator (SAF)

Mission

RWJMS recognizes the difficulties and stresses that accompany the pursuit of professional and scientific careers and the complications that arise if alcohol, drugs, emotional or physical impairment occurs. As educators of future healthcare and scientific professionals, the RWJMS community has a special responsibility to assure that help is available to any student who may be impaired due to mental health and substance abuse problems.

The purpose of the Student Assistance Facilitator (SAF) is to help students who may be suffering from mental health and/or substance abuse problems to obtain appropriate and effective treatment as early as possible. Self-referrals as well as referrals from all members of the RWJMS community are encouraged. In addition, the SAF recognizes the importance of confidential and early intervention in helping with full recovery. The SAF is available to answer questions, to provide information, or to suggest referral.

Respect for Privacy

The SAF is mindful of students’ privacy and gives impaired students an opportunity to continue their education without stigma during recovery and maintenance.

Who is the SAF?

Joe Schwenkler, MD is the Medical Director for the Physician Assistant program located on the Piscataway campus. He worked as a family physician in Hunterdon County for 20 years before becoming a full-time educator in 2006.

He has a special interest in helping to identify students who are becoming impaired as early as possible.  He has seen how early intervention usually results in positive outcomes.

You can contact him by phone or email to arrange a private meeting.

For More Information contact:

    Joe Schwenkler, MD
    675 Hoes Lane
    Piscataway, NJ 08854
    Phone: (732) 235-4445
    Email: schwenjo@umdnj.edu