ENGLEWOOD, N.J.—Calling it a “historic day” for Englewood Health—a hospital founded in 1890 with 12 beds, and today a fully-accredited 352-bed hospital—the Englewood hospital’s chief executive officer announced Oct. 15 that it plans to merge with Hackensack Meridian Health, a comprehensive health network of 17 hospitals statewide.
“Since we entered into an affiliation with Hackensack Meridian Health in 2015, we have partnered with them to expand patient care services and develop new collaborative programs throughout the region,” said Warren Geller, Englewood Health’s president and CEO. “We see that kind of progress continuing and reaching new heights as, together, we focus on driving the future of healthcare.
Following the merger’s regulatory approval, Hackensack Meridian will invest $400 million in capital improvements at Englewood Hospital to improve operating facilities, and expand ambulatory care centers and cardiac catheterization labs, said Robert Garrett, CEO of Hackensack Meridian Health.
These investments should position Englewood Health as a North Jersey hub for advanced treatment in cardiovascular care, neurosciences, oncology, robotic surgery, women’s health and neonatal intensive care, stroke care, thoracic surgery, and part of an extensive ambulatory care network.
The merger must be approved by the state Department of Health, the state Attorney General’s Office and the Federal Trade Commission, before it takes effect.
“Englewood Health and Hackensack Meridian Health share a common mission and commitment to quality,” said Robert C. Garrett, CEO of Hackensack Meridian Health. “We are thrilled Englewood wants to be part of Hackensack Meridian Health. We believe they will be a great addition to our network. We will continue to improve the well-being of communities with more cost-effective care that delivers quality, safe outcomes, clinical excellence and a superior experience.”
The merger between the two large North Jersey hospitals is the second merger announced in recent weeks, with Trinitas Regional Medical Center in Elizabeth announcing plans to merge with RWJBarnabas Health last week, pending approvals.
Garrett said when the merger is finalized, Englewood Health would be named Hackensack Meridian Health Englewood University Medical Center.
“As a healthcare system, we need to continuously evolve in order to provide our community with increased access to high-quality care and more specialties and services, close to home,” said Geller.
“This decision is about building the most efficient, most effective health system possible to benefit the communities we serve. Over the past decade there have been significant investments in our facilities and technology from which our patients are benefiting, and we intend to invest in further advancements,” Geller said.
“Joining Hackensack Meridian Health will ensure our ability to deliver world-class care to the communities we serve in a broader way, with greater resources and more cutting-edge technologies available to us,” Geller added.
“As healthcare leaders, Englewood Health and Hackensack Meridian Health have a shared goal of providing the best care for our communities, now and in the future. We also have a shared commitment to increasing access to care close to home and offering professional opportunities for our valued medical staff and employees. We realize that we can do many things together that we cannot do alone,” Geller noted.
A merger of Englewood with Hackensack Meridian will likely create a dominating force in North Jersey healthcare, leaving only two independent hospitals, Valley Hospital in Ridgewood and Holy Name Hospital in Teaneck, not part of a larger health network.
“We welcome Englewood Health with open arms,” said Gordon Litwin, Esq., chair of the Hackensack Meridian Health Board of Trustees.
“This is an exciting time for health care in New Jersey and beyond. Hackensack Meridian Health is leading the way in advancing the delivery of health care through groundbreaking partnerships and innovation—truly redesigning how care is delivered. We look forward to taking the next steps to make this merger a reality.”
Hackensack Meridian Health Network includes 17 hospitals, including Pascack Valley Medical Center, a 128-bed hospital at 250 Old Hook Road in Westwood.
