Committed to health

A host of new medical services are coming to the neighborhood. Palisades Medical Center broke ground on Dec. 19 for a new building slated to provide critical health care to the North Hudson area.
“The new Ambulatory Care Center will expand Palisades Medical Center’s capabilities and provide our patients with convenient access to new, specialty care services that they would otherwise not find in our communities,” said Bruce J. Markowitz, President and CEO of Palisades Medical Center.
The 57,000-square-foot Ambulatory Care Center will provide expanded capabilities for endoscopy, cardiology, gastroenterology, orthopedics and multi-specialty physician practices from Hackensack University Medical Center, an affiliate of Palisades.
“We have a wonderful expansion of the Hackensack John Theurer Cancer Center that is going to take a good portion of the space,” said Markowitz. “To be able to have quality oncology services which are second to none in this region will be a great advantage and opportunity for the residents of North Hudson.”
Also coming to the location for the first time is a dialysis center, “a service very much needed in this community, especially as the population begins to age,” according to Markowitz.

Years in the making

“We have been committed to quality health care in this community since the opening of our doors here on the waterfront some 35 years ago,” said Theresa de Leon, chairperson of the board of Palisades Medical Center.
Planning for the new facility began three and a half years ago. It is expected to take about 10 months to complete and is scheduled to open in October of 2014.

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‘It continues to grow, to build, and to transform, not only itself but the community around us.’ – Theresa de Leon
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“This expansion of our campus was made possible thanks to the tireless efforts of everyone here today,” said Markowitz at the groundbreaking ceremony. “As well as local residents, medical professionals and organizations that support Palisades Medical Center. In particular, I would like to thank North Bergen Mayor Nicholas J. Sacco and his team for their dedication and support.”
Among those present at the groundbreaking were Weehawken Mayor Richard Turner, North Bergen Commissioner Hugo Cabrera, and representatives of the property developer, Duke Realty.
Palisades Medical Center is located on River Road in North Bergen. It features a 202-bed hospital and The Harborage, a 247-bed nursing home and rehabilitation center. With more than 1,300 employees, it is the largest employer in its service area. The annual operating budget is approximately $150 million.
“It continues to grow, to build, and to transform, not only itself but the community around us,” said de Leon about the medical center.

Art Schwartz may be reached at arts@hudsonreporter.com.