Pick a quote, any quote, to describe Saint Michael’s Medical Center in Newark.
- “There is a deep sense of purpose here. Our staff believes in this hospital because they see firsthand the difference it makes in people’s lives. That commitment is what fuels everything we do.
- “We invest in technology that improves patient outcomes, enhances the experience for both patients and staff, and helps us deliver care more effectively.
- “Our responsibility doesn’t end at our doors. We’re building a system of care that starts in the community, continues through treatment, and supports patients long after they leave the hospital.
- “This is just the beginning. We’re building for the future — one where Saint Michael’s continues to lead, innovate, and serve as a vital lifeline for Newark.”
These thoughts, from CEO Dr. Alan Sickles, are inspirational and aspirational, but they come with a catch — even they may not convey the transformation of Saint Michael’s, which filed for bankruptcy protection a decade ago.
This week marks ten years since Saint Michael’s was acquired by Prime Healthcare, one of the largest physician-founded and physician-led health systems in the country.
Today, Saint Michael’s is thriving.
New programs, modernized facilities and expanded specialty services have reshaped the hospital into a center for advanced care, particularly in cardiology, stroke treatment and infectious disease, Sickles said.
“What makes this transformation so meaningful is that we’ve done it while remaining true to who we are, a safety-net hospital serving a community that depends on us every day,” he said.
***
Located in the heart of Newark’s University Heights neighborhood, Saint Michael’s provides health care services to the thousands of new residents pouring into the residential developments now rising around the hospital.
But it’s only doing so thanks to Prime Healthcare.
Based in California, Prime Healthcare buys struggling hospitals, rapidly invests in upgrades, cuts inefficiencies and integrates them into a regional network to restore financial stability and improve care. The company operates 54 hospitals in 15 states.
Saint Michael’s is part of Prime Healthcare’s larger New Jersey network, which includes St. Mary’s General Hospital in Passaic and Saint Clare’s in Dover and Denville.
Some were skeptical when Prime made the purchase. Those doubts didn’t last long.
Prime Healthcare kept its promise to preserve jobs, maintain services and ensure continued access to care. It’s why Saint Michael’s is now financially stable and growing — a recognized leader in patient safety and quality and a hub for advanced clinical care and medical education.
Quality scores that once lagged have improved dramatically, from failing grades to repeated “A” ratings for patient safety.
Investment has played a key role in the mission.
In the last decade, Prime has invested tens of millions into Saint Michael’s, including new telemetry on all patient units, electronic medical records, new endoscopy equipment, scopes, cameras and towers, a Tru-Beam linear accelerator, CT simulator and new treatment-planning software for the Cancer Center.
In addition, the hospital invested in two new catheterization labs and new cardiac mapping and electrophysiology equipment. The hospital now performs TAVR and mitral clip procedures. Saint Michael’s also has new mammography equipment and new stereotactic breast biopsy equipment in the Women’s Imaging Center. The Radiology Department has a new fluoroscopy suite, two new diagnostic rooms and an MRI upgrade.
***
The future clearly is bright.
Through its research programs, Saint Michael’s is participating in clinical trials focused on cardiac disease, HIV and emerging medical technologies.
Those technology upgrades take many forms.
From cutting-edge cardiac procedures and advanced imaging to AI-powered tools that support patient care, the hospital continues to evolve. Artificial intelligence is now used to analyze clinical data in real time, while patients benefit from AI-assisted discharge support that helps them follow care instructions and stay connected after leaving the hospital.
Saint Michael’s, however, is still a people place.
It serves as a teaching hospital, graduating at least two dozen residents and fellows annually.
A few years after it was purchased by Prime Healthcare, Saint Michael’s restarted fellowships in cardiology, infectious disease, gastroenterology, hematology and oncology, and pulmonary/critical care medicine.
“Expanding our fellowship programs directly improves patient care,” Sickles said. “Fellows bring the latest clinical training and research into the hospital, which means patients have access to advanced treatments, more specialized expertise and a deeper level of attention.”
The Rev. Dr. Ronald Slaughter, the pastor of Saint James AME Church in Newark, led a community effort to save the hospital a decade ago. After it was purchased by Prime Healthcare, he was named chairman of its board.
“I got involved to save this hospital because our community couldn’t afford to lose it,” Slaughter said. “What we’ve seen over the past decade is nothing short of a resurrection. Thanks to the partnership with Prime Healthcare, Saint Michael’s didn’t just survive, it has become stronger, more advanced and better equipped to serve the people who rely on it every day.”
***
With more than 1,000 employees — many of whom live in Newark and the surrounding neighborhoods — the hospital’s workforce has been central to its commitment to community.
And that commitment extends well beyond the building.
Initiatives such as the “Mobile Mike” unit bring HIV care and prevention services directly into the community, while expanded emergency medical services ensure a seamless continuum of care from the moment a patient calls 911 through treatment and recovery.
At the same time, Saint Michael’s continues to invest in programs addressing chronic conditions such as heart disease, stroke, hypertension and diabetes, which disproportionately affect the Newark community.
The impact of these actions is reflected in recent milestones.
In October 2025, the hospital earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval and the American Stroke Association’s Heart-Check mark for Primary Stroke Certification, demonstrating its commitment to delivering high-quality, evidence-based stroke care. It recently received its fifth “A” in a row for patient safety from the Leapfrog Group.
Saint Michael’s also has expanded its reach by assuming EMS ambulance operations for the Town of Harrison, strengthening the continuum of care across the region. It remains the only hospital in Essex County to earn a 4-star rating from CMS, underscoring its focus on quality and patient outcomes.
At the same time, the hospital continues to grow key service lines, including cardiology and physical therapy, while welcoming both community-based physicians and new specialists to its medical staff — broadening access and expertise for patients across Newark and beyond.
Sickles tried to put it all in words.
“What we’ve accomplished over the past decade is something we’re incredibly proud of,” he said.
You can quote him on that.
