Twenty private treatment rooms, 9 flexible treatment cubicles and another 14,129 square feet of space. University Hospital in Newark on Tuesday unveiled the latest phase of its Emergency Department modernization.
Designed to meet the growing needs of the patient population, this new addition comes just months after the first phase of the ED modernization was completed in an adjacent space.
The new spaces — known within the hospital’s ED as Zones 1 & 2 — include a waiting area, radiology registration area, and re-designed entrance and lobby to enhance the experience for both patients and their families, as well as two nurses’ stations and support areas that will help elevate collaboration and communication.
Dr. Harsh Sule, a University Hospital emergency medicine physician and the interim chair for Rutgers New Jersey Medical School’s Department of Emergency Medicine, said the update is much needed.
“When our emergency department was built in the 1970s, it was designed to accommodate just 50,000 visits per year. Today, we see well over 100,000 cases annually,” he said.
“This is more than a construction project to our staff. It reinforces our commitment to providing patients with a better experience — one that is more efficient, safe, and individualized than ever before.”
As Northern New Jersey’s only state-certified Level I Trauma Center and New Jersey’s only public acute care hospital, University Hospital provides life-saving care to hundreds of thousands of patients each year from throughout the region, Interim CEO Dr. Kaitlan Baston said.
“This new emergency department space is a taste for what’s to come for University Hospital as we embark on our plan to expand and modernize facilities across our campus,” she said. “While there is still work to be done, this milestone reflects our commitment to our community today while we build the future of health care in Newark.”
Hospital officials said this critical work was made possible by the continued advocacy of local legislators and the support of state officials – with resulting funding for project costs.
Senate Majority Leader M. Teresa Ruiz, who represents Newark, was more than happy to help.
“This renewed space will enhance our emergency response capabilities, empowering our medical professionals with the upgraded infrastructure and technology necessary to deliver timely, life-saving treatment,” she said. “It is an investment that reaffirms University Hospital’s commitment to health equity and the communities that rely on their services most during a moment of crisis.
“We are grateful for the opportunity to help secure this critical funding for a facility that serves as both an anchor in Newark and a lifeline for New Jersey — and we remain committed partners in building a more compassionate, accessible, and resilient health care system.”
Assemblywoman Eliana Pintor Marin agreed.
“University Hospital’s role in delivering care to our residents is essential,” she said. “The Emergency Department expansion was about making sure patients and families have access to the care they need in a modern, supportive environment. We are proud to help secure funding for University Hospital, and I commend the hospital for putting these resources to work in ways that improve access to equitable, quality health care.”
As University Hospital breaks ground on new buildings as part of the larger, multi-phase master plan to expand and modernize its shared campus with Rutgers Health, further improvements to the ED will be made to refresh existing patient areas.
Tanya Freeman, the chair of University Hospital and the driving force behind its growth and transformation, was obviously pleased.
