N.J. hospital gets new medical school affiliate

St. Peter's University Hospital, New Brunswick, N.J., has crossed the state border to sign an affiliation agreement with Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, effective in July 2005 when St. Peter's longstanding affiliation with the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey is due for a sunset. The agreement will provide hospital rotations for 60 third- and fourth-year students and 16 OB/GYN, 18 pediatric and 45 internal medicine residents annually. St. Peter's will employ the residents, and St. Peter's faculty will enjoy Drexel faculty privileges. Drexel also is affiliated with Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh, Hahnemann University Hospital in Philadelphia and Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch, N.J. "There was an effort made over the past two years to re-negotiate the relationship with UMDNJ, but for various reasons it did not work out," said Sheryl Slonim, St. Peter's president and CEO. -- by Cinda Becker