Newark Hospital Hits Big Milestone For $150M Expansion Project

NEWARK, NJ — A hospital in Newark marked a big milestone on Tuesday with the completion of its long-awaited new lobby. But that’s just the beginning of the story when it comes to the upgrades that have been taking place at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center.

The construction of the hospital’s 17,500 square-foot, glass-enclosed lobby is a “historic” capstone to its $150 million Newark Strong Project, which began in 2019 and is Newark Beth Israel’s largest expansion in 50 years, spokespeople said.

The lobby is among the most visible elements of the expansion. It includes lounge chair seating, new outdoor green spaces with bench seating and pocket parks, additional pick-up and drop-off locations for patients, a new patient registration space and a café. The new lobby is also home to the Giantomasi Family Community Room, an 800 square-foot meeting space located on the upper-level.

“Newark Beth Israel Medical Center is so critical to our community’s health, and essential to our quality of life and sense of security,” Newark Mayor Ras Baraka said.

“This new lobby is but one of the center’s many new upgrades that include lifesaving, state of the art technology, but its beauty evokes Newark Beth Israel’s aspiration to provide patients and visitors with a sense of calm and spaciousness that refreshes and supports wellbeing,” Baraka added.

Hospital administrators offered some updates on other aspects of the Newark Strong Project as they unveiled the new lobby. They included:

The Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey Emergency Pavilion – “Newark Beth Israel Medical Center treats approximately 95,000 patients in its Emergency Department, annually. The Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey made a generous commitment of $5 million toward the Newark Strong project. The newly redesigned emergency department will be named The Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey Emergency Pavilion in honor of their contribution to this project and the over $25 million of programmatic and capital support that the Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey has provided to Newark Beth Israel Medical Center over the past 25 years. The newly redesigned Pavilion will include 10 new private exam rooms, a new waiting area for adults and a new waiting area and dedicated entrance for families visiting the pediatric emergency department. In addition, it will have an expanded fast-track space, increased access to pick-up and drop-off spots, and improved visibility of the exterior signage to enhance the overall experience for our patients and families.”

Critical Care Unit – “Our new state-of-the-art critical care unit will offer 13 new private rooms designed to support cutting edge critical care and enable loved ones to share in the healing process. The new unit features rooms that range from 350 - 450 square-feet; and are designed to incorporate the needs of loved ones who may need to stay at the bedside with patients for lengthy periods of time. Each room features either a sleeper sofa or a sleeper chair, a recliner, a built-in work area with 55” television screens, and automatic window blinds, which can also be controlled by the patient from their bed.”

Expanded Cardiac Care – “Newark Beth Israel Medical Center is home to one of the nation’s Top 20 heart transplant programs and one of the leading cardiology programs in the region. In fact, many of New Jersey’s most complex cardiac surgery cases are transferred to Newark Beth Israel Medical Center for surgical intervention and care. This Newark Strong expansion includes a new hybrid operating room, a new cardiac catheterization lab and upgraded equipment, all of which will enhance our ability to perform the latest minimally invasive cardiac procedures.”

Modern Geriatrics – “In 2022, Newark Beth Israel Medical Center opened its new 24-bed geriatric unit offering all private rooms designed to meet the needs of older adults. Every room and common area were designed to ensure that older adults and their loved ones have an excellent experience and receive the highest quality care in the safest environment. The unit features rooms large enough to accommodate physical therapy, beds designed to reduce pressure injuries and fall hazards, cushioned slip resistant flooring, sliding doors to private bathrooms, hallways with color blocking patterns to help guide and orient patients, centralized nursing stations, dimmable lighting, and wheelchair accessible family visitor lounges.”

“This Newark Strong Project affirms our commitment to delivering world class care to our patients, and an excellent experience to every visitor who walks through our doors,” said Darrell Terry Sr., president and CEO of Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and Children’s Hospital of New Jersey.

According to Terry, there has been a whirlwind of activity on the hospital campus over the past few years:

“Last year, we opened our new state-of-the art geriatric unit, and we are on the verge of opening our new redesigned cardiothoracic intensive care unit, these new treatment areas along with the new glass-enclosed lobby, elevate the hospital experience for our patients and their loved ones, and there is more to come. By the end of 2024 Newark Beth Israel will have a newly designed and expanded emergency department, cardiac catheterization lab, and several new operating rooms.”

“The future is bright for Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and the future is here,” Terry said.

• See Related: Historic Renovation Continues At Newark Beth Israel
• See Related: Hospital In Newark's South Ward Praised For 'Racial Inclusivity'

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