The Future of Medicine Has a New Address: 1888 Second Street

In the spring of 1888, when Essex Street was a dirt road with wooden sidewalks, Hackensack Hospital opened as a 12-room house on Second Street. Surrounded by lush farm country, this new hospital - Bergen County's very first - brought patients in by horse-drawn ambulance, with a promise of care for a growing community.

That promise has been nurtured by trailblazing pioneers who, over the years, have transformed the small hospital into an 827-bed nonprofit teaching and research hospital on a sprawling campus that is also home to the John Theurer Cancer Center and the Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital.

On Thursday, June 18, Hackensack Meridian Hackensack University Medical Center honored that enduring spirit of ingenuity. The hospital's most recent addition, the state-of-the-art Helena Theurer Pavilion, a nine-story, 530,000-square-foot hub of medical technology, got its own, very special address: 1888 Second Street.

"This new address, 1888 Second Street, is more than just a location; it's a declaration of Hackensack Meridian Health’s (HMH) enduring commitment to this community," said Robert Garrett, CEO, HMH. "It honors the pioneers who laid our foundation in 1888 and celebrates the incredible innovation happening within the Helena Theurer Pavilion today.”

The Helena Theurer Pavilion is a fully integrated "smart hospital" where a robust digital backbone connects every aspect of patient care.

“I am immensely proud to stand at this intersection of our rich history and our dynamic future, knowing that we are continuing our legacy of providing world-class, compassionate care for decades to come," said Mark Sparta, COO, Hackensack Meridian Health.

The technology inside the Pavilion is the new frontier of medicine:

• AI-Powered Precision: The facility boasts 24 advanced operating rooms, including a fleet of da Vinci surgical robots and orthopedic robotic systems. These tools translate a surgeon's hand movements into micro-actions, enabling a level of precision and minimally invasive care that leads to faster, better recoveries.
• Real-Time Neurosurgery: It is home to New Jersey's first intraoperative MRI, a powerful imaging tool that allows neurosurgeons to visualize the brain in real-time during surgery, ensuring the most complete and safest procedure possible.
• Networked Patient Experience: Each private room is a command center for patient comfort and connection. A bedside tablet gives patients direct control over their environment - from lighting and temperature to entertainment - while also serving as a portal for video conferencing with their care team and loved ones.

“The address 1888 Second Street perfectly bridges the hospital’s history - from the horse-drawn ambulance on a dirt road to the life-saving speed of AirMed helicopter transport landing on Hackensack University Medical Center’s rooftop helipad,” said Dr. Tank. “It connects our humble beginnings to the hospital’s status as a world-class medical center, reminding us that for over a century, we have been here for our community and will continue to lead the way for generations to come.”