The Bayonne Medical Center is now officially the Bayonne University Hospital as officials gathered to cut the ribbon on the facility this morning to formally begin the next chapter under the leadership of Hudson Regional Health.
By Daniel Ulloa/Hudson County View
“Today we’re here to celebrate the unveiling and rebirth of the old Bayonne hospital as the new HRH University Hospital,” HRH CEO Dr. Nizar Kifaieh he said, noting that it took six years to get to this point.
“We are an academic institution. Bayonne Hospital has two residency programs … as well as a fellowship program. This Hospital has gone through a very rough time,” he continued, noting that they shut down cardiac health, oncology, and stroke care previously.
He thanked the staff for weathering the storm, to applause, noting that a new contract was recently worked out with the the union.
Kifaieh also mentioned that they added new clinical services, like psychiatric care, to help people, as well as restoring services like cardiac and oncology treatment, noting that HRH Chairman Yan Moshe put in tens of millions of dollars to save the hospital system.
HRH acquired the then-Bayonne Medical Center, Christ Hospital in Jersey City, and Hoboken University Medical Center from CarePoint Health in April after the hospital chain filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, as HCV first reported.
“We’re here to build the best high-quality health care system in Hudson County,” Kifaieh added, indicating that they are going to invest another $75 to 100 million in addition to the millions already spent.
“We know there’s a population of charity care and undocumented patients that need care and deserve a fair shot … We are committed as a system to providing those services to everybody that seeks care in our organizations.”
He further stated they want to increase their ambulatory service to help handicap patients with mobility challenges, with a mobile clinic now visible outside the hospital in Bayonne.
“This is just the beginning!” Kifaieh said to applause.
Hudson County Executive Craig Guy noted they went through difficult times and thanked the mayors for their help in addressing the situation, noting that the nation and state are facing a mental health crisis.
“…Our country, our state, our community are facing a mental health crisis,” Guy noted.
State Senator Raj Mukherji (D-32) noted that many patients cannot afford to pay for medical services.
“Hospitals are anchors of hope: They’re also where we suffer and experience grief.”
Mukherji explained he was grateful that they were able to provide eight figures worth of support through state, county, and city aid via charity care, graduate medical education dollars, and subsidies.
“For five years, the hospital behind us has consumed my life! This was the hospital that was going to close,” exclaimed Bayonne Mayor Jimmy Davis, the Democratic nominee for Hudson County sheriff.
He said he committed to keeping the BUH open and worked with Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla and Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop towards that goal, also crediting the BUH for saving his mother’s life – which he didn’t think would have happened at the Jersey City Medical Center.
“I know it’s a celebration … This has been a 10-year journey in health care in Hudson County as an absolute emergency,” Fulop noted, acknowledging that their financial situation still needs a lot of help.
“The road is not done yet. We have a lot more to do … I feel confident because I know the people behind me have a track record of turning things around … Absent the guy behind me, you would see these facilities close.”
Bhalla, also the Democratic nominee for state Assembly in the 32nd Legislative District, recalled that there was a board meeting on a Saturday night last year during the World Series when the Yankees were playing.
He said the out-of-state lender left suddenly and caused a crisis situation, prompting him and Fulop – who were both CarePoint board members at the time – to call Kifaieh and Moshe.
“ … We’re going to be there for you. We’re going to save these hospitals for you,” he recalled them saying.
Hudson County Board of Commissioners Chair Anthony “Stick” Romano (D-5) noted the importance of helping the hospital system throughout the county and was happy.
“It takes a village. I want to thank everyone for playing their role,” added state Senator Angela McKnight (D-31).
“It’s a great day in the City of Bayonne,” Assemblyman Will Sampson (D-32) said.
He thanked the doctors present for their leadership work in helping patients, including his family members.
Katy Temple, the outreach advisory for U.S. Rep. Rob Menendez (D-8), presented a Congressional Certificate of Recognition, to HRH to conclude the press conference.
Is HRH a non-profit hospital?