Sweeney, Weinberg Visit Holy Name Medical Center

Trenton – Senate President Steve Sweeney and Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg visited the Holy Name Medical Center in Teaneck today. The medical center was allocated $3 million for a palliative care pilot program in this year’s budget, which was a line item frozen by the Governor after the budget was signed.

“This award-winning medical center serves people from all backgrounds and from all over the greater New York City area. We should not be playing politics with people’s health care,” said Senator Sweeney (D-Gloucester/Salem/Cumberland). “Their palliative care program improves the quality of life while relieving pain and discomfort for patients recovering from severe illnesses. We should never hold funding politically hostage, especially funding for such crucial patient-focused care.”

Holy Name Medical Center is a comprehensive 361-bed acute care facility, which provides technologically advanced, compassionate and personalized care across a continuum that encompasses education, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation and wellness maintenance.

“The Holy Name Medical Center is a staple in Bergen County,” said Senator Weinberg (D-Bergen). “By serving 30,000 patients a year and employing 4,000 people, this unique institution gives world-class care as well as drives our local economy. The hospital has a proven need for the state funding currently being withheld, and I hope the administration removes the freeze soon for the sake of the patients and our community.”

Holy Name has been listed on NJBIZ Magazine’s Best Places to Work for 14 consecutive years, the only hospital in the state to earn the distinction. It remains one of the few independent hospitals and is soon to be New Jersey’s only independent Catholic hospital.

The medical center was created by Dr. Frank McCormack and Dr. George Pitkin, two dedicated surgeons from Teaneck, who were assisted by Mother General Agatha Brown of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace. The hospital admitted its first patient in October of 1925.