Hospital executives and elected officials came together for a ribbon-cutting ceremony earlier this week at the newly renamed Bayonne University Hospital. The former Bayonne Medical Center is now part of the Hudson Regional Hospital chain, which operates four hospitals throughout Hudson County.
Speaking at the ceremony, Dr. Nizar Kifaieh, the HRH Chief Executive Officer, described the HRH acquisition of Bayonne University Hospital as “a rebirth.” He explained the educational component of the hospital behind the “university” part of the name. Dr. Kifaieh stated that the hospital will have two medical residents’ programs and a medical fellows’ program. Additional medical residents’ programs are underway at Heights University Hospital (the former Christ Hospital) and Hoboken University Hospital (the former St. Mary’s Hospital). He said that similar programs at the Secaucus location are “in process.” Dr. Kifaieh said that several services at Bayonne University Hospital that were closed have been reopened. He also announced that there have been “successful” negotiations with the Bayonne staff union, Health Professional and Allied Employees (HPAE). The hospital chief executive also pledged that new services would be added. Dr. Kifaieh reported that HRH would be making investments of $75 million to $100 million in the hospital chain.
Dr. Kifaieh recognized that many Hudson County patients rely on charity care at hospitals. He said that charity care patients “deserve a fair shot at services.” He pledged that mobile clinics would travel around Hudson County to provide healthcare in the neighborhoods. Finally, after years of uncertainty about the survival of local hospitals, Dr. Kifaieh said that they are ”here to stay.”
Hudson County Executive Craig Guy credited Hudson Regional with starting conversations with the communities that have hospitals. He thanked the mayors for their involvement with healthcare issues in the county. County Executive Guy also mentioned the importance of dealing with mental health issues in the area.
State Senator Raj Mukherji pointed out that Hudson County is one of the most diverse and densely populated counties in the country. He described the four medical centers in the HRH network as “safety net hospitals.” He credited HRH Chairman Yan Moshe with investing in the hospitals, more than one of which had been on the verge of closure.
Bayonne Mayor Jimmy Davis said that the newly improved situation for Bayonne’s hospital is “a relief.” He said, “For five years, the hospital consumed my life.” Mayor Davis called the new HRH hospital system “the dawn of a new day.”
Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop called the chain of events that led to the HRH hospital network “a ten-year journey.” He said that HRH Chairman Moshe has “a track record” of turning things around. Mayor Fulop predicted that the hospital network would continue to need help from other people in the future.
Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla recalled a CarePoint hospital board meeting on a Saturday night when the money lender took the money off the table. As Mayor Bhalla recalled, at that time, the hospitals faced liquidation under Chapter 7 bankruptcy. The hospital board contacted Yan Moshe, who pledged to save the hospitals. Mayor Bhalla called the HRH group “the unsung heroes of healthcare in Hudson County.” He has already noticed new lines of service and new providers at the hospitals. Mayor Bhalla concluded, “The best is yet to come.”
Anthony Romano, Chairman of the Hudson County Board of Commissioners, seeing a “deterioration” of hospital services in Hoboken predicted an era of “stability” in the hospitals. Commissioner Romano observed that “it takes a team” of elected officials and the private sector to make the hospitals work.
Secaucus Council Member John Gerbasio referred to HRH as “a part of our community.” He said that HRH was “expanding,” and he cited the hospital corporation’s “commitment to our community.”
State Senator Angela McKnight said that everyone needs to work collectively together for healthcare. She said, “We are all a piece of the puzzle,” and “it takes a village.” Senator McKnight thanked all of the hospital staffs for their work.
Assemblyman Will Sampson said it was “a great day for the City of Bayonne.” He thanked the hospitals for improving people’s lives, and said that “Hudson County together is strong.”
Katie Temple, a staff professional for Congressman Rob Menendez, described a Congressional resolution for “safe and affordable healthcare.” On behalf of Congressman Menendez, she presented the resolution to the HRH leadership.
Following the speeches, the hospital executives and the elected officials took part in a ribbon-cutting ceremony in front of the renamed Bayonne University Hospital.