$27M Expansion Planned For Morristown Medical Center Emergency Department

MORRISTOWN, NJ — Morristown Medical Center will upgrade its emergency department in a $26.9 million project. Once design, funding and approvals get finalized, the hospital expects work to begin in early 2022, with anticipated completion in 2024.

As a Level 1 ACS Trauma Center, Morristown Medical Center’s emergency department is among the busiest in New Jersey, averaging more than 100,000 visits per year. The department operated at 100 percent capacity pre-pandemic, with patients and stretchers often overflowing into the hallways. COVID-19 only exacerbated the situation.

The two-phase project will optimize existing emergency-department space to meet the community's needs, according to Atlantic Health System, which runs Morristown Medical Center. Phase 1 involves equipping the Sameth Emergency Department with new technology, such as advanced computed tomography (CT) scanners, new patient cardiac monitors and expansion of trauma elevators.

Phase 2 will involve the physical expansion to accommodate additional beds and optimize the department's interior footprint. The most significant undertaking involves relocating the 17-room Gagnon Children’s Emergency Department, which is currently located next to the general emergency department.

The dedicated pediatric emergency section will move to the first floor of Goryeb Children’s Hospital and have a separate pediatric entrance.

“We are thrilled to bring a much-needed, newly expanded and modern emergency department to our community,” said Morristown Medical Center President Trish O’Keefe. “During the last few years and throughout the pandemic, we have experienced an increased demand for emergency medical and trauma services."

Completion of the project will require $10 million in community philanthropy, according to Atlantic Health System. The Margaret A. Darrin Charitable Trust, which has supported several major initiatives of the hospital, recently made a $2.5 million commitment. The gift will support the purchase of a new CT scanner, which uses less radiation and provides faster scanning times for patients.

So far, the community has contributed more than $3 million in individual gifts and through the sold-out Foundation for Morristown Medical Center’s Golf Classic, which will take place later this month. Click here to donate.

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