TRENTON, N.J. — New Jersey Department of Health Commissioner Kaitlan Baston definitively approved a Certificate of Need application from Hudson Regional Hospital to become the permanent owner and operator of Bayonne Medical Center.

Hudson Regional has owned the Bayonne Medical Center property since July 2020 and has taken a variety of actions to become its operator, including most recently being named interim operator of the acute care facility during CarePoint Health’s bankruptcy proceedings. The Certificate of Need resolves a long-standing set of issues caused by the owner of the property not being aligned with the operator of the hospital.

“Bayonne Medical Center is a critical asset for the local community and we are beyond gratified that its future is secured,” says Yan Moshe, Chairman of Hudson Regional Hospital. “In anticipation of this decision we have invested millions of dollars to improve the facility and restore services. Bayonne residents can take a deep breath that their hospital has been saved.”

Hudson County elected leaders also expressed support.

“I am pleased to see Governor Murphy's decision to approve the transfer of ownership of the Bayonne Medical Center to Hudson Regional Hospitals,” says Hudson County Executive Craig Guy. “I am confident this change in leadership will allow the Bayonne Medical Center to continue providing quality healthcare services to Hudson County residents.”

“I am very happy that the New Jersey Department of Health has issued a certificate of need to Hudson Regional Hospital for Bayonne Medical Center (BMC),” says Jimmy Davis, Mayor of Bayonne. “This is a great development that will enable BMC to serve the community as a full-service hospital. Bayonne needs a fully operational hospital that can serve the healthcare needs of our residents and our neighbors from Hudson County.”

“We proved at Hudson Regional that a community hospital can provide world-class services,” says Dr. Nizar Kifaieh, President and CEO of Hudson Regional. “Already we have made huge strides at Bayonne Medical Center, but the most important advancement is that we have gained the trust of the healthcare providers, workers and patients. In coming months we will have a series of announcements related to additional improvements and added programs.”

Hudson Regional expects to rebrand Bayonne Hospital as part of a new network that will include the other former CarePoint facilities with the central goal of improving healthcare services across the board. Already underway at Bayonne Medical Center are:

- Remodeled Emergency Department

- Reopening and enhancing the CATH LAB, allowing BMC to resume a variety of tests and services and enables EMS to bring code heart patients to the ED at BMC

- Revival of its Graduate Medical Education Program, restoring its status as a teaching hospital

- Redesigned entrance, lobby, reception area and cafeteria

- New physical therapy facility

- New pharmacy

- New waiting room

- 3 additional operating rooms with state-of-the-art robotic equipment

- New state of the art laboratory

- New doctors lounge

- New radiology department and technology

About Hudson Regional Hospital

Hudson Regional Hospital is a community hospital located in Secaucus, NJ. Its mission is to build a healthier community by providing exceptional care for all residents in the Tri-State Area through a significant investment in new technology including the Institute of Robotic Surgery featuring the Da Vinci XI Robotic System, ExcelsiusGPS and the Mazor Robotic Guidance System and access to more physician groups including some of the best physicians in the NYC-metro area. Hudson Regional Hospital’s ER team provides around-the-clock comprehensive emergency care services that include short wait times, EMS/Ambulance On-Site 24/7, a fully equipped EMS Lounge, 24/7 Access to Specialty Physicians and a multi-lingual staff.