Families across New Jersey now have expanded access to advanced pediatric critical care close to home with the official opening of the new Hersh Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at Saint Peter’s Children’s Hospital.
Made possible through a partnership featuring support from The Dorothy B. Hersh Foundation and a $10 million state appropriation, the expanded unit increases the hospital’s critical care capacity from 8 to 14 private patient rooms.
- Family-Centered Design: Each of the 14 private rooms includes expanded space for parents and caregivers to stay comfortably at the bedside throughout treatment and recovery.
- Increased Capacity: As one of New Jersey’s busiest pediatric referral centers handling over 500 patient transports annually, the expansion directly addresses growing regional demands for critical care.
- Comprehensive Around-the-Clock Care: Staffed by a multidisciplinary team of pediatric intensivists, critical care nurses, and respiratory therapists treating trauma, respiratory failure, complex infections, and surgical recovery.
- Award-Winning Excellence: Builds upon Saint Peter’s clinical legacy, which includes a prestigious Silver Beacon Award for Excellence from the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses.
“By creating larger, more functional patient rooms that incorporate a comfortable space for family members, we can provide highly specialized critical care while supporting the emotional needs of children and their loved ones,” Dr. Siva Jonna, chair of the Department of Pediatrics and physician-in-chief of Saint Peter’s Children’s Hospital.
As part of this healthcare growth, Saint Peter’s is also transforming its former PICU space into a specialized step-down and general pediatrics unit. This transitional space will provide higher levels of observation for patients recovering from major surgeries or serious illnesses before they return home.
Les Hirsch, president and CEO of Saint Peter’s Healthcare System, expressed deep gratitude to The Dorothy B. Hersh Foundation and New Jersey legislative leaders—including Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, Assemblymen Kevin Egan and Joseph Danielsen, and Senator Robert Smith—for making the project possible.
