Jersey City Medical Center (JCMC), an affiliate of RWJBarnabas Health, this week unveiled an expanded adult and new pediatric Emergency Department.
Officials said the new state-of-the-art department is part of a $100 million expansion, totaling 60,000 square feet, that will include surgery suites and more rooms for inpatients.
“The expanded Emergency Department will further enhanceJersey City Medical Center’s capacity to deliver outstanding care to the community,” said Barry H. Ostrowsky, CEO of RWJBarnabas Health.
Ostrowsky added that the Medical Center is also opening a new pediatric emergency department as part of the expansion, with support from a donation from the Abercrombie Guild. JCMC’s Emergency Department already was the busiest and highest-volume ED in Hudson County before the expansion.
In addition to 765 doctors and 603 nurses, the hospital has a total number of 2,521 staff and a team of volunteers.
Jersey City Medical Center sees more than 300,000 outpatient visits annually, with 16,070 admissions, 7,204 surgeries (including same-day surgeries), and 2,024 births.
“Hudson County is one of the fastest growing regions in the Garden State.
A major upgrade is not only welcome news, but it is also necessary.
Now more than ever, Hudson County residents don’t have to travel far to receive the most advanced care available,” said RWJBarnabas Health President Mark E. Manigan.
JCMC President and CEO Michael Prilutsky added that even before the construction, the Emergency Department saw more than 80,000 visits annually.
“We do expect an increased demandfor our Emergency Department services as Jersey City and Hudson County continue to grow.
The reason for doubling the size of the ED is to enable us to continue to provide safe, high-quality care and, as importantly, leveraging the state-of-the-art facility, continue to retain and attract the best healthcare professionals,” Prilutsky said.
As part of the $100-million expansion, JCMC is not only dramatically increasing the size of the existing Emergency Department, but also opening the new Abercrombie Guild Pediatric Emergency Department, part of the Children’s Health Network of RWJBarnabas Health.
The new ED for children was made possible with help from a generous multimillion-dollar gift from the Abercrombie Guild — its historic final donation as the entity ends its operations.
“It is the honor and privilege of the remaining members of the Abercrombie Guild to make this our final donation and know that our legacy will live on in the Abercrombie Guild Pediatric Emergency Department, providing care to the youngest, most vulnerable members of our community,” said Victoria Samulski of the Abercrombie Guild.
“Children will now have their own child-friendly area in which to be assessed and treated, which will enhance their experience”
In addition to providing the latest advanced services, JCMC is essential to local and statewide economic development, continuously delivering on our social impact mission to “Hire Local, Buy Local, Invest Local”.
Our expansion of clinical health services, construction, and community contributions complements our commitment to Hudson County and surrounding areas.
“Jersey City Medical Center provides critical healthcare when our residents need it most, and this expansion of the Emergency Department, along with new pediatric services, is an important step in supporting our ongoing efforts to expand access to quality healthcare in one of the most densely populated areas of the state,” said Jersey City Mayor Steven M. Fulop.
Added JCMC Chair of Emergency Medicine and Interim Chief Medical Officer Schubert Perotte, MD: “I am proud to work for Jersey City Medical Center, and we are dedicated to investing and healing in Hudson County.
We know that health is the foundation that allows people, families, and communities to flourish.
These upgrades to our emergency services empower our patients to become active participants in their own health, and to access high quality care close to home.”
JCMC has received numerous recognitions, including most recently earning the Magnet Designation of excellence for meeting rigorous standards in nursing excellence — for the fourth consecutive time. It also was designated again as a leader in LGBTQ+ healthcare equality by the Human Rights Campaign this year.