ARTICLE
Dr. Christopher Awwad specializes in comprehensive care for the LGBTQIA+ community (Paramus, NJ) – Paramus, NJ – Bergen New Bridge Medical Center welcomes Dr. Christopher Awwad as the new medical director of the hospital’s LGBTQIA+ Health and Wellness Center. Awwad has extensive experience in family medicine and specializes in comprehensive care for the LGBTQIA+ community including gender-affirming care, HIV prevention, sexual health, and primary care. “We are an important healthcare resource for the LGBTQIA+ community because they know they will receive quality, respectful, equitable, and compassionate care,” said Deborah Visconi, President & CEO, Bergen New Bridge Medical Center. “Dr. Awwad will help us to further develop a healthcare experience where the LGBTQIA+ community feel safe, welcomed, and do not fear stigma as we address their physical health needs as well as mental health and wellness.” Awwad received his medical degree from Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine – Bradenton in 2013 and completed his family medicine residency training at the Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell Health. He will develop medical education and community outreach for the Medical Center to better serve its patients by providing equitable access to high-quality, patient-centered care. ABOUT BERGEN NEW BRIDGE MEDICAL CENTER Bergen New Bridge Medical Center (BNBMC), a clinical affiliate of Rutgers, is a 1,070-bed hospital located at 230 East Ridgewood Avenue in Paramus, NJ. The Medical Center is both the largest hospital and licensed nursing home in NJ and the fourth largest, publicly owned hospital in the nation. Bergen New Bridge, a not-for-profit safety net facility, provides high-quality comprehensive services, including acute and ambulatory care, mental health and substance use disorder treatment, long-term care, 24/7 emergency department, surgical suites, physical rehabilitation, pharmacy, laboratory, radiologic services (including digital mammography). It is a leading provider of COVID 19 testing, vaccinations, and therapeutics. The Medical Center also has satellite offices in Bergenfield, Englewood, and Paterson. Primary care and other health and wellness services are available at the hospital's CareRite Now centers located in select Inserra Supermarkets in Bergen County. Bergen New Bridge is in network with all major New Jersey commercial insurance plans covering 99.91% of NJ residents and is a Veterans Community Care Provider. It is also a Leader in LGBTQ Healthcare Equality in the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Healthcare Equality Index (HEI). Learn more at www.newbridgehealth.org. # # #