Jersey City Medical Center eyes partnership
Jersey City Medical Center, owned by LibertyHealth System, is looking to forge a partnership. “Liberty Health/Jersey City Medical continues to evaluate and explore various strategic and financial partnerships,” said Mark Rabson, corporate director of public affairs for Liberty Health, on Monday, after NJBIZ broke the story.
He told the Jersey City Reporter, “LibertyHealth continues to grow and offer new services. The Board of Trustees and the hospital administration are evaluating all possible avenues that would allow us to expand these programs. We will keep the community informed as we explore the different options.”
The move comes after two other hospitals in the county – Meadowlands Hospital in Secaucus (formerly owned by LibertyHealth) and Bayonne Medical Center – were sold to for-profit companies. The city of Hoboken is in the process of selling Hoboken University Medical Center to a private company as well.
While these companies often find ways to save urban hospitals from financial disaster, they often negotiate hard with insurance companies for better rates on in-network services. This sometimes results in a cancellation of the contract with those insurers, meaning that patients must pay large out-of-network costs. Whether JCMC or other hospitals go that route remains to be seen.
JCMC is slated to receive more than $1.4 million in hospital assistance funding under Gov. Chris Christie’s fiscal year 2012 budget proposal.
Bayonne man fatally shot in Jersey City
Gregory J. Johnson of Broadway in Bayonne was shot and killed in Jersey City last Sunday night. The incident occurred about 8:30 p.m. near Wilkinson and Ocean Avenues. Johnson, 54, was shot in the back during an altercation with a younger man, according to published reports.
The Hudson County Prosecutor’s office is asking that anyone with information about the killing call the homicide squad. The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Unit confidential tip line is (201) 915-1345.
Saint Dominic Academy to hold 14th Annual Spring Thaw Race
Saint Dominic Academy will be holding its 14th Annual Spring Thaw Race on Saturday, March 19, in Liberty State Park at the Railroad Terminal. Proceeds from the run help to benefit all of SDA’s sports programs. The 1 Mile run/walk will begin at 9:30 a.m., the 5K run on a USATF certified course will take place at 10 a.m., and a short Kiddie run will follow the 5K. The entry fee is $15 for the 1 Mile run/walk, $20 for the 5K, and $5 for the Kiddie Run. For more information, please contact Saint Dominic Academy at (201) 434-5938 and speak to Athletic Director, John Nagel at ext. 50 or Advancement Director, Kate Lillis Magnus at ext. 42.
Past winners of the SDA Annual Spring Thaw Race include: Dr. Chris Bennett, coach of CBA, who ran a four-minute mile with the NIKE Farm Team and who also ran at CBA and North Carolina, Carolina Liane Sullivan Rae ’90, Hudson County Hall of Famer and standout at Portland State University, highly acclaimed distance runner, Joseph McVeigh, and current SDA Track Coach Patrick McMonagle, who ran at Saint Peter’s College.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade is in Lincoln Park
On Sunday, March 13, a St. Patrick’s Day Parade will be held in Jersey City, starting in Lincoln Park on Kennedy Boulevard at 12:30 p.m. and ending at the Loews Landmark Theatre in Journal Square.
Civic JC sponsors free class
Civic JC (www.civicjc.org) and Citizens’ Campaign are leading a free political party service class on Saturday, March 19 from 11 a.m. to noon at City Hall in Jersey City. The class will teach citizens about the power and influence of local political parties and how to run for a political party committee seat. The effort is part of the statewide Citizens Campaign’s Jersey Call to Service www.JoinTheCampaign.com. The class will be held in the council caucus room on the 2nd floor at 280 Grove St., Jersey City. To RSVP, e-mail Andrew Hubsch at andrew@civicjc.org.
You’re on candid camera
Security cameras have been installed by the city of Jersey City at the intersection of Kennedy Boulevard and Communipaw Avenue to catch drivers running red lights, according to published reports. The cameras went up on March 3, and there will be a 30-day warning period before fines of $85 will start being issued.
Sole City
New Jersey City University has joined the “11 in 11” campaign with a shoe drive to benefit soles4souls, Inc., a shoe charity. Residents are invited to recycle their “gently worn” shoes in an effort to help distribute 11 million shoes in 2011 to people in need. “We need partners like New Jersey City University to get behind our “11 in 11” campaign and get a little crazy this year,” said Founder Wayne Elsey. “Donating shoes is one of the most simple yet profound gifts you can make, because it will greatly improve someone’s life in the most difficult of times.” To donate between March 28 and April 28 visit www.giveshoes.org. NJCU is at 2039 Kennedy Boulevard in Jersey City.