Getting To Know Our New Hospital

On Friday, April 26, the club was pleased to welcome as our guest speaker, Mr. Chad Melton, CEO of Hackensack University Medical Center at Pascack Valley.

Mr. Melton began his talk by noting that in 36 days, our long-awaited hospital will be open for business. All services begin June 1. There will be no phase in.

Throughout his talk, Mr. Melton emphasized that HUMC-PV is all about patient centered care and service excellence. All 128 beds will be in private rooms. In room computers will allow nurses to spend less time at central stations and more time with patients. Another patient friendly service will allow patients to order meals at any time of day for delivery to their rooms.

In addition to providing comprehensive health care, the facility promises to be a welcome addition to the economy of the Pascack Valley as well. Whereas the old Pascack Valley Hospital had a staff of about 250, HUMC-PV expects to fill nearly 600 positions.  Four hundred employees already have been hired. Furthermore, the hospital will become one of the largest taxpayers in the region, paying taxes of roughly $2 million a year to Westwood and Washington Township.

In introducing HUMC-PV to the community, a 30 minute video has been produced by WCTV in Washington Township and uploaded to You Tube. Get a first hand view of the hospital here:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fzsjA-7IUc or plan on attending Community Day on Saturday, May 18 between 11:00 and 3:00 for a walk through.

Club members were greatly impressed with all that they heard and eagerly await the June 1 opening.