The County of Bergen and Bergen New Bridge Medical Center have officially broken ground on a new 45,000-square-foot multigenerational health facility designed to serve residents across all stages of life.
Slated to complete construction by the end of 2027 and open in 2028 pending state approvals, the facility on the Bergen New Bridge campus will house a childcare program, community physician offices, and the future Bergen County Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) Center.
Addressing the ‘Sandwich Generation’
The project aims to ease the burden on families who simultaneously care for aging parents, raise children, and manage their own healthcare needs by uniting all three services on a single campus.
“What makes this project so special is that it will serve Bergen County families across generations,” Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco said. “We’re creating a place where our seniors can get the care and support they need to remain healthy and independent, while also providing childcare for the hardworking men and women who care for our residents every day.”
Deborah Visconi, president and CEO of Bergen New Bridge Medical Center—New Jersey’s largest hospital and largest licensed nursing home—highlighted the community-driven origin of the project.
“We see every day how much families are juggling,” Visconi said. “When your community trusts you enough to share what they need, you have a responsibility to follow through. Today, we’re putting shovels in the ground to bring families closer to getting the care and support they’ve asked for.”
The future PACE Center, operated in partnership with senior healthcare provider WelbeHealth, will deliver coordinated medical, social, and daily living support to help older adults stay connected to their communities.
“WelbeHealth believes in bringing one coordinated team around the whole person, making healthcare more human and helping older adults stay connected to the communities they love,” Dr. Matt Patterson, president of WelbeHealth said.
The 45,000-square-foot building is being financed through the Bergen County Improvement Authority, which serves as the County’s financing entity and holds the license for Bergen New Bridge Medical Center.
The groundbreaking ceremony brought together federal, state, and local leadership, including U.S. Representatives Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) and Nellie Pou (NJ-9), NJ DHS Secretary Dr. Steven Cha, State Senator Holly Schepisi, and members of the Bergen County Board of Commissioners.
