Includes Upgrading Goryeb Children’s Hospital Pediatric Emergency Department
Morristown, NJ – October 12, 2021 – Atlantic Health System’s Morristown Medical Center announced the expansion and modernization of its Sameth Emergency Department (ED). Once design, funding and approvals are finalized, the project is expected to begin in early 2022, with an expected completion in 2024.
The two-phase project will optimize existing emergency department space to meet the community’s current and future needs to continue to provide clinically superior patient environment for better outcomes and improve operational flow. Phase I includes equipping the Emergency Department with the best-in-class technology, such as advanced computed tomography (CT) scanners, new patient cardiac monitors and expansion of trauma elevators.
Phase II will involve the physical expansion to accommodate additional beds and optimize the ED’s interior footprint. The most significant undertaking is relocating the 17-room Gagnon Children’s Emergency Department that is currently located next to the general ED. The dedicated pediatric emergency department will be moved to the first floor of Goryeb Children’s Hospital (GCH) which will have a separate pediatric entrance.
As a Level 1 ACS Trauma Center, Morristown Medical Center’s Emergency Department is among the busiest in the State of New Jersey, averaging over 100,000 patient visits per year.
“We are thrilled to bring a much-needed, newly expanded and modern Emergency Department to our community,” said Trish O’Keefe, PhD, RN, President of Morristown Medical Center. “During the last few years and throughout the pandemic, we have experienced an increased demand for emergency medical and trauma services. We have exceptional medical specialists and sub-specialists available to treat any illness that comes through our doors for adults and children. We continue to provide extraordinary, high-quality care, the latest technology and modernized space to continue to serve our community now, and well into the future.”
The Sameth ED renovation and expansion cost is an estimated $26.9 million, and $10 million in community philanthropy is needed to complete the project. The Margaret A. Darrin Charitable Trust, which has generously supported a series of major initiatives of Morristown Medical Center, 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. Thus far, the community has contributed more than $3 million through individual gifts and through the sold-out Foundation for Morristown Medical Center’s Golf Classic, which will take place later this month. More information on getting involved in this project can be found at f4mmc.org/Sameth-ED.
About Morristown Medical Center
Rated the number one hospital in New Jersey by U.S. News & World Report for four years in a row, Atlantic Health System’s Morristown Medical Center is a nationally recognized leader in cardiology & heart surgery, orthopedics, gynecology, critical care, pediatrics, geriatrics, gastroenterology and GI surgery, pulmonology and lung surgery, urology and nursing. It is a 735-bed, non-profit, acute care teaching hospital located in the heart of Morristown, NJ.
Morristown Medical Center is the only hospital in New Jersey named one of America’s ‘50 Best Hospitals’ for six consecutive years by Healthgrades. It has earned recognition as one of the World’s Best Hospitals by Newsweek, ranking as #34 in the country and top in the State of New Jersey in 2021, and Becker's Healthcare list of "100 great hospitals in America.” Morristown Medical Center has achieved an “A” hospital safety grade – its highest – twelve consecutive times by Leapfrog. The hospital was also recognized by Fortune IBM Watson Health 100 Top Hospitals, ranking #6 among major US teaching hospitals.
It has earned the prestigious designation as an American Nurses Credentialing Center Magnet Hospital for Nursing Excellence five consecutive times -- one of less than one percent of hospitals nationally to achieve this honor. According to NurseJournal.org, Morristown Medical Center offers one of the best environments for hospital nurses, including clinical performance and workplace quality, ranking #3 in the U.S.
Morristown Medical Center is certified as a Level I Regional Trauma Center by the American College of Surgeons and designated a Level II Trauma Center by the state of New Jersey.
About the Foundation for Morristown Medical Center
Established in 1995, the Foundation for Morristown Medical Center’s mission is to inspire community philanthropy to advance exceptional health care for patients at Morristown Medical Center and Goryeb Children’s Hospital. Over the past 10 years, donors have contributed more than $191 million to support both Morristown Medical Center and Goryeb Children’s Hospital.
About Atlantic Health System
Atlantic Health System is at the forefront of medicine, setting standards for quality health care in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and the New York metropolitan area. Powered by a workforce of more than 18,000 team members and 4,800 affiliated physicians dedicated to building healthier communities, Atlantic Health System serves more than half of the state of New Jersey including 11 counties and 4.9 million people. The not-for-profit system offers more than 400 sites of care, including seven hospitals: Morristown Medical Center in Morristown, NJ, Overlook Medical Center in Summit, NJ, Newton Medical Center in Newton NJ, Chilton Medical Center in Pompton Plains, NJ, Hackettstown Medical Center in Hackettstown, NJ, Goryeb Children’s Hospital in Morristown, NJ, and Atlantic Rehabilitation Institute in Madison, NJ.
Atlantic Medical Group, comprised of 1,000 physicians and advanced practice providers, represents one of the largest multi-specialty practices in New Jersey and joins Atlantic Accountable Care Organization and Optimus Healthcare Partners as part of Atlantic Alliance, a Clinically Integrated Network of more than 2,500 health care providers throughout northern and central NJ.
Atlantic Health System provides care for the full continuum of health care needs through 16 urgent care centers, Atlantic Visiting Nurse and Atlantic Anywhere Virtual Visits. Facilitating the connection between these services on both land and air is the transportation fleet of Atlantic Mobile Health.
Atlantic Health System leads the Healthcare Transformation Consortium, a partnership of six regional hospitals and health systems dedicated to improving access and affordability and is a founding member of the PIER Consortium – Partners in Innovation, Education, and Research – a streamlined clinical trial system that will expand access to groundbreaking research across five health systems in the region.
Atlantic Health System has a medical school affiliation with Thomas Jefferson University and is home to the regional campus of the Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Morristown and Overlook Medical Centers and is the official health care partner of the New York Jets.