Dr. Pamela Brug is honored to be inducted into RAAA Hall of Fame, a recognition that reflects her unwavering commitment to women’s health and community service. Inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s powerful words, “Use me, God. Show me how to take who I am, who I want to be, and what I can do, and use it for a purpose greater than myself,” Dr. Brug has dedicated her career as a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist, serving women across New Jersey for over 25 years.
She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Biology and Sociology from Douglass College at Rutgers University. She then pursued a medical degree at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, cultivating a deep passion for women’s health. To further her leadership skills, Dr. Brug obtained a Master of Science in Medical Education and Leadership from the University of New England.
Currently affiliated with Hackensack Meridian Health Raritan Bay Medical Center, Dr. Brug has had the privilege of supporting countless patients through life’s most pivotal moments. She is also a valued faculty member at Rutgers University Robert Wood Johnson Medical School (RWJMS), the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences. In addition, Dr. Brug collaborates with her esteemed colleagues from the RWJMS Women’s Health Institute to engage, advocate and support initiatives that produce better health outcomes for women, their families and communities.
Recently, June 2024, Dr. Brug was appointed by Governor Murphy to The New Jersey Maternal Care Quality Collaborative (NJMCQC). She is now part of the state’s legislated 34-member maternal health task force. This collaborative was established to improve maternal health outcomes by fostering multidisciplinary cooperation, analyzing maternal health data, and promoting timely innovation and education across consumer, provider, and system levels. The NJMCQC focuses on strategies aimed at reducing severe maternal morbidity and mortality, as well as addressing racial and ethnic disparities in healthcare.
Dr. Brug is deeply committed to addressing healthcare disparities, particularly concerning black maternal and infant morbidity and mortality. To tackle these urgent issues, she co-founded the New Jersey Black Women Physicians Association (NJBWPA), where she serves as president, advocating for policies and taking actions that improve access to quality health care for all women, and educating members of the community on the social determinants of health. Her efforts have been recognized with numerous awards, including:
- Delegate to the United Nations for the 68th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (March 2024)
- Honoree, Westfield Community Center & Westfield Neighborhood Council, Celebrating Black History Month (February 2024)
- New Jersey Woman of Achievement – Certificate of Recognition from The NJ State Federation of Women’s Clubs (2023)
- Certificate of Appreciation for Black Maternal Health Week from Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. (April 2022)
- Women of Distinction Award from the Zeke Bowser Enrichment Foundation (2022)
- Union County Shero Award from the Union County Board of Commissioners (May 2021)
- The Douglass Project Award for Advancement of Women in STEM (March 2021)
Dr. Brug’s teaching excellence has also been recognized through multiple awards, including the RWJMS Chairman Chair Award and numerous teaching awards from her medical school, highlighting her dedication to educating the next generation of healthcare professionals.
Beyond her clinical and academic roles, Dr. Brug actively engages in her community through organizations such as the National Medical Association NJ Chapter and the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Association of Westfield, where she has served as a past vice president. Driven by her belief in the transformative power of compassionate, evidence-based care, Dr. Brug is dedicated to empowering women and families to achieve their best health outcomes. Each patient she serves and every initiative she leads reflects her deep commitment to this mission.
Dr. Brug expresses heartfelt gratitude to her husband, Peter Bruce Panton, and her children, Rahdee, Matthew, and Allyson, for their unwavering support in her work. She also wishes to honor her parents, Paul and Hermine, who are no longer physically with her, but always encouraged her to reach back and help others. Their love and guidance continue to inspire her commitment to making a tangible difference in the lives of those in her community.