A new emergency department is coming

Partnership plans are unveiled

Deborah Heart and Lung Center and Catholic Health East New Jersey (CHE-NJ) recently announced plans to partner in the development and operation of a 10,000-square-foot satellite emergency department (SED) on Deborah’s campus in Browns Mills. Lourdes Medical Center of Burlington County, a CHE-NJ affiliate, will operate the facility. Deborah and CHE-NJ have committed to expanding the delivery of primary medical care in northwest Burlington County.

Final plans for the new state-of-the-art facility will be completed soon, with a target opening date of January 1, 2010. In addition to establishing the SED, Deborah and CHE-NJ have agreed to collaborate on other health service ventures, including the expansion of primary care services on Deborah’s campus and in nearby communities.

PARTNERS IN CARING

“We’re pleased to have CHE-NJ as our partner in this endeavor,” says John R. Ernst, Deborah’s President and CEO. “CHE-NJ hospitals and Deborah not only have a rich tradition of delivering high-quality care, but also share a strong commitment to providing care to the poor and underserved. Operated by Lourdes Medical Center, this state-of-the-art SED will make the best in emergency care available to thousands of New Jersey residents throughout the communities long served by Deborah.”

“We’re very excited about this partnership with Deborah, which is a great example of how healthcare providers can work cooperatively to improve access to care without duplicating services,” says Alexander J. Hatala, President and CEO of CHE-NJ. “The SED’s location on the Deborah campus will give area residents access to top-quality emergency care close to home, while also providing SED patients ready access to both a renowned heart hospital and the range of inpatient and outpatient services available at Lourdes Medical Center of Burlington County in Willingboro.”