Saint Michael’s Medical Center Opens New
22-Bed Nursing Unit
Newark hospital is delivering on promise to serve community;
expands services with support from Catholic Health East.

NEWARK, N. J. –– Saint Michael’s Medical Center has completed another phase in its expansion under the auspices of Catholic Health East (CHE), as the hospital today celebrated the blessing and dedication of a newly opened nursing unit.

The 22-bed patient care unit, which is located on the hospital’s renovated 8th floor, will be staffed by telemetry-trained registered nurses and technical associates. The unit features cutting-edge telemetry technology, which affords nursing personnel remote access to patient vital signs and other information. The private and semi-private patient rooms are spacious and comfortably appointed, with flat-screen televisions and other amenities.

“As the newest member of Catholic Health East, our hospital’s 140-year-old mission to serve Newark residents has been renewed and revitalized,” says Robert H. Evans, CEO of Saint Michael’s, which was acquired by Catholic Health East in an asset purchase in August 2008. “We are aggressively incorporating the sound management practices and strict fiscal policies that are CHE hallmarks so that, despite the current economic climate, we can continue investing in our facility’s infrastructure and technology over the next several years.”

This is the third nursing unit to open at Saint Michael’s Medical Center over the past eight months. Future plans include the renovation of additional patient care units and a comprehensive redesign of the hospital’s emergency department. Media interested in a tour of the facility can contact Brendan Middleton, at (973) 596-3804.

Established by the Franciscan Sisters of the Poor in 1867, Saint Michael’s Medical Center is a 357-bed regional tertiary-care, teaching and research center in the heart of Newark’s business and educational district. The Saint James Campus in Newark’s East Ward and the Columbus Campus in the North Ward deliver key non-acute services, including 24-hour emergency care. They serve as a “front door” to the inpatient, outpatient, and clinic services available at Saint Michael’s Medical Center. Saint Michael’s Medical Center is a member of Catholic Health East (CHE). Based in Newtown Square, PA, Catholic Health East is one of the nation’s largest nonprofit health systems, with 33 hospitals in 11 states. More information is available at www.che.org and www.smmcnj.org.