RWJUH Somerset Completes Vertical Expansion Project

Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH) Somerset, an RWJBarnabas Health facility, has completed construction of its 76,000-square-foot, two-story vertical expansion project. The top floor of the new addition includes 45 all-private patient rooms for post-surgical and medical/surgical patients and a therapy gym for joint surgery patients. The second floor is reserved for future growth.

Construction on the project began in December 2022. It is the most significant construction on the hospital's campus since 2007 when the hospital built its Steeplechase Cancer Center. The hospital expects to welcome patients to the new floor by early next year.

With the new addition, two-thirds of the hospital's medical/surgical patient rooms will be private.

"Our vertical expansion project will help us transform the care that we provide to patients throughout the hospital," said Deirdre Blaus, Interim Chief Administrative Officer, RWJUH Somerset. "The majority of our inpatient rooms will now be single occupancy, offering patients greater privacy and a more comfortable, quiet environment to promote rest and healing."

All of the patient rooms on the new pavilion will feature private bathrooms with a handicapped-accessible shower and hotel-like amenities, including convertible sleeper sofas for family members who wish to stay overnight and work stations with USB ports so patients can stay connected to work and their friends and family. The pavilion is connected by a new bridge to the third floor of the main hospital, with convenient, private access from the hospital's Operating Room.

The next phases of the project include relocating the hospital's Geriatrics Department to a larger space that's more comfortable for patients with extended stays and establish the hospital's first Rapid Decision Unit to alleviate wait times and enhance comfort for Emergency Department patients.

Somerset Health Care Foundation recently held a dedication event for the new pavilion, which was attended by about 125 donors and community partners.

"The Foundation has been proud to partner with the hospital to bring our vision for elevating health care to life," said Donna Castronovo, Vice President of Development, Somerset Health Care Foundation. "Philanthropy has been the bedrock of this hospital since its inception and has fueled every milestone over the last century. We are so grateful for the generosity of our community whose support has made our growth possible and ensure we continue to meet the needs of our patients."

For more information about RWJUH Somerset, visit www.rwjbh.org/somerset.