Friday, September 18, 2015

South Jersey is getting a new hospital



Inspira Health Network, the parent company for Inspira Medical Center Woodbury in Gloucester County, said Thursday it is planning to build a new hospital in the same South Jersey county.

A site for the new construction has not been finalized, but the health network is exploring possible locations including land next to Rowan University at Exit 50 on Route 55 in Glassboro.

Inspira Health Network is planning to build a replacement hospital for Inspira Medical Center Woodbur, shown above.


The new hospital will serve as a replacement facility for Inspira Medical Center Woodbury, which will remain open and be converted to other potential uses that include outpatient care, emergency care and administrative office space to support various Inspira departments and functions.

“This is exciting news for our physicians, staff, patients and the entire community” said John DiAngelo, president and CEO of Inspira Health Network. “A new, state-of-the-art hospital in our community will allow Inspira to offer an even higher level of quality care with the support of new technologies and services.”

Health network officials said the new Inspira medical center in Gloucester County will feature all private patient rooms and a variety of modern amenities including an “expansion of state-of-the-art wireless and digital technologies that will enhance the efficiency and quality of patient care in the region.”

Earlier this year, Mullica Hill-based Inspira announced additional plans for growth in Gloucester County through an affiliation with Jefferson Health. The two organizations will collaborate to open a new health center in Gloucester County that will house a comprehensive cancer center, specialty physician offices and a variety of other needed health services.

Inspira’s plan is for its Woodbury hospital to remain open, and for inpatient hospital services currently offered at the medical center to be transitioned to a new site when construction is completed in about three years.

DiAngelo said a strategic assessment determined that renovating the existing Woodbury hospital building, and enhancing inpatient hospital services there, was too costly. He said the health network has plans to grow unspecified other programs at the Woodbury location.

“Inspira remains committed to providing care in the city of Woodbury and we will offer services there for years to come,” said DiAngelo. “Inspira Medical Center Woodbury has a long history of serving this community and we intend to continue that tradition.”

The hospital, previously known as Underwood-Memorial Hospital, was founded in 1915.

Inspira said it is working cooperatively with officials in the city of Woodbury and the county of Gloucester to identify additional complimentary development alternatives for the site. Up to 500 jobs could remain at the facility after inpatient hospital services move to a new site, according to Inspira.

“We’re extremely pleased Inspira has committed to working with the city within our redevelopment plan area,” said Dave Trovato, Woodbury Council President, in a statement.

“Over the past few years, our relationship with the hospital has transformed into a true partnership with a common vision of progress. This, along with the Light Rail Line coming to Woodbury in the near future, and our other development successes, bodes well for a bright future for the City," he said. "It is our belief that Inspira’s strategic plan will allow for continued growth of new businesses, jobs, and economic vitality in the form of a strong public/private partnership.… The hospital’s success is vital to Woodbury’s success which translates into the entire South Jersey region.”

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