Gov. Christie yesterday called the new expansion at Virtua Voorhees Hospital critical to local job creation and economic growth. With the opening of the new facility, a new facility that offers acute, outpatient and long-term care in Southern New Jersey, Virtua Voorhees Hospital is the state’s first hospital to open in the state in seven years and represents a $580-million investment that has already created 2,800 construction jobs and will ultimately create 1,000 new permanent health care jobs. The project will generate millions of dollars of economic activity and will stimulate other regional development.
“The opening of Virtua Voorhees is a major milestone for the Virtua Health System, the residents of South Jersey and the state — marking the first hospital to open in New Jersey in nearly seven years,” Christie said. “New Jersey hospitals are home to real innovation, medical breakthroughs and excellence in care, contributing more than $18 billion to New Jersey’s economy. Virtua Voorhees will continue this tradition by providing innovative treatments and modern services that improve patients’ lives.”
The 125-acre campus, located along Route 73, is the largest healthcare provider in Southern New Jersey and features of the new facility include: an all private rooms facility; two distinct emergency areas — adults and pediatrics; state-of-the-art operating suites; and upgraded family accommodations. Adjacent to the new hospital, a 300,000-square-foot ambulatory center with comprehensive outpatient services is currently being built and will offer a summit surgical center for same-day surgery; the hospital’s pediatric specialty center; a sleep center; a café; and community meeting space.
Several State agencies and authorities were involved in various aspects of the project including the Department of Health and Senior Services, Department of Community Affairs, Department of Transportation, Department of Environmental Protection and the Pinelands Commission, the New Jersey Health Care Facilities Financing Authority, as well as county and municipal authorities.
“I had a chance to tour the construction site back in July and I have watched the facility’s progress — it is truly a state-of-the-art medical campus developed to meet patients’ needs,” said Acting Health and Senior Services Commissioner Mary O’Dowd. “Whether it is building a new facility, incorporating cutting-edge medical technology or promoting health and wellness, Virtua is always working harder to improve patient care.”
