HackensackUMC at Pascack Valley is Open in Westwood

HackensackUMC at Pascack Valley officially opened at 12:01 a.m. Saturday, ending a long wait for residents since the former Pascack Valley Hospital closed at the same site more than five years ago.

The hospital officially received its license from New Jersey Thursday, marking the first time the state has granted a license for a new hospital in almost 30 years.

Hospital CEO Chad Melton said he was "very excited" about the opening.

"It feels good to finally be a this stage," Melton said.

Mary Monteverde, 90, was admitted as the new hospital's first patient. Monteverde said she felt "honored" by the distinction.

Monteverde's physician, Dr. George Lin, said he had previously cared for her at the Valley Hospital of Ridgewood, but her family had wanted to move her to HUMC at Pascack Valley because it was closer to her primary care physician in Emerson.

Lin said he was also personally happy to be working at the new hospital. He had previously worked at the Pascack Valley Hospital from 2002 until it closed.

"It's like coming home again," Lin said.

The Pascack Valley Hospital first opened in 1959 with much support — both spiritual and financial — from the surrounding community. It grew to house 291 beds over the years, then closed in 2007 after facing financial problems. 

After the hospital closed, Hackensack University Medical Center bought their assets. HUMC began operating a paramedic service in the area and opened an emergency room in the former hospital, both of which have served thousands of patients.

HUMC also partnered with the Texas-based company LHP, which specializes in hospital management. Together, the two applied to the state to reopen the defunct facility as a new 128-bed hospital managed by LHP.

The application faced opposition from the Valley Hospital of Ridgewood and the Englewood Hospital and Medical Center, whose officials said there was no need for another hospital in Bergen County. Opening HUMC at Pascack Valley would hurt them financially, officials from those hospitals said.

During the hearing process, many residents of Westwood and other Pascack Valley towns publicly showed their support for HUMC at Pascack Valley by sharing their opinions at public meetings, signing pro-hospital petitions and putting up "people first" lawn signs. Hospital officials have repeatedly thanked residents for their support during speeches at events celebrating the opening.

"They heard your voices down in Trenton," HUMC CEO Robert Garrett said.

State Health Commissioner Mary O'Dowd approved the hospital in February 2012, but Valley and Englewood appealed the decision. A three-judge panel finally ruled to uphold the approval last December.

The hospital has been undergoing renovations since last April, when officials held a ceremonial wall-breaking to mark the start. More than $147 million has been invested in the hospital's renovations and new equipment.

Now that HUMC at Pascack Valley has finally opened, the facility offers 128 private beds and state-of-the-art accomodations and equipment. Each room will have its own 32-inch TV, thermostat and computer terminal for staff so they can spend more time with patients. They also have brand new equipment in their five operating rooms, special procedure room and other patient care areas.

Officials also have hopes for the hospital to grow in the future. Melton said they hope to start work on a project to make the emergency department larger and more accessible later this year. They will also be eligible to apply for a permit for more beds in 2016.