Trinitas Regional Medical Center and RWJBarnabas Health recently signed a Letter of Intent (“LOI”) whereby Trinitas Regional Medical Center (“Trinitas”) and its affiliates will become a part of RWJBarnabas Health (“RWJBH”). The non-binding LOI sets forth a basic structure for the proposed transaction and puts the institutions on a path toward reaching a Definitive Agreement, expected before the end of the year.
The LOI is the first step in the process of evaluating and designing a new relationship that will enhance health care services for residents in northern and central New Jersey. Both parties will now engage in a due diligence process to define the specifics of the relationship. Approvals will be necessary from State and Federal officials, the Catholic Church and others before the transaction is considered complete.
RWJBarnabas Health is New Jersey’s most comprehensive academic health care system with a service area of nine counties covering five million people. The system includes 11 acute care hospitals, three acute care children’s hospitals, and a renowned pediatric rehabilitation hospital, among many other facilities. RWJBH has a partnership with Rutgers University, creating New Jersey’s largest academic health care system.
Trinitas Regional Medical Center is a 554-bed, Catholic, acute care teaching hospital located in Elizabeth, New Jersey. Trinitas provides over 400,000 patient contacts per year and renders care throughout the State of New Jersey. Trinitas is the result of a merger in the year 2000 between Elizabeth General Medical Center and St. Elizabeth Hospital.
Under the terms of the LOI, the role of Trinitas as a full service provider of acute health care services for the eastern Union County community will be enhanced. RWJBH will make significant investments in Trinitas and will expand the network of outpatient services currently provided by Trinitas, resulting in an even higher level of care for the community.
Under the terms of the proposed transaction, RWJBH will become the sole member (i.e., corporate parent) of Trinitas. However, Trinitas will remain a Catholic institution and will abide by the Catholic Ethical and Religious Directives. The Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth will continue to serve as the Catholic sponsor of Trinitas, and the Elizabethtown Healthcare Foundation will continue to address the needs of non-profit organizations in Union County, including RWJBH/Trinitas. The Trinitas Board will continue to oversee day-to-day operations of Trinitas.
The LOI states, in part: “The parties have been in discussions for some time and share a common perspective and culture regarding providing high quality, cost-effective services to their communities consistent with their respective missions and the need to move in the direction of population health management.”
According to Gary S. Horan, FACHE, President and Chief Executive Officer of Trinitas, “I see our eventual move into the RWJBarnabas Health system as an extremely positive and exciting development for our institution – one that will give us the resources and opportunities to greatly enhance the already high level of care we provide to our community.”
Barry H. Ostrowsky, President and Chief Executive Officer of RWJBarnabas Health, stated, “The rapidly changing health care landscape presents new challenges and opportunities. Trinitas is a vital resource to the eastern Union County community, and through this agreement we would greatly expand our reach into new communities with our mission of improving the health and well-being of its residents. We are excited about the many possibilities for collaboration signaled by this Letter of Intent.”
ABOUT RWJBARNABAS HEALTH
RWJBarnabas Health is the largest, most comprehensive academic health care system in New Jersey, with a service area covering nine counties with five million people. The system includes eleven acute care hospitals – Clara Maass Medical Center in Belleville, Community Medical Center in Toms River, Jersey City Medical Center in Jersey City, Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch, Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus in Lakewood, Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in Newark, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset in Somerville, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital at Hamilton in Hamilton, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Rahway in Rahway and Saint Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, three acute care children’s hospitals and a leading pediatric rehabilitation hospital with a network of outpatient centers, a freestanding 100-bed behavioral health center, two trauma centers, a satellite emergency department, ambulatory care centers, geriatric centers, the state’s largest behavioral health network, comprehensive home care and hospice programs, fitness and wellness centers, retail pharmacy services, affiliated medical groups, multi-site imaging centers and two accountable care organizations.
RWJBH is New Jersey’s largest private employer – with more than 33,000 employees, 9,000 physicians and 1,000 residents and interns – and routinely captures national awards for outstanding quality and safety. RWJBH recently announced an affiliation with Rutgers University to create New Jersey’s largest academic health care system. The collaboration will align RWJBH with Rutgers’ education, research and clinical activities, including those at the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey - the state's only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center - and Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care.
ABOUT TRINITAS HEALTH AND REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER
Trinitas Regional Medical Center was created in January, 2000 upon the merger of Elizabeth General Medical Center and St. Elizabeth Hospital. The 554-bed, Catholic acute care hospital offers 12 centers of excellence in such areas as: cancer, behavioral health, a breast center, maternal/child health, emergency/cardiology, renal, wound treatment, sleep disorders, women’s care, an institute for Dialectical Behavior Therapy (“DBT”), and seniors care including a skilled nursing facility. It is a teaching hospital with a medical residency program and a professional school of nursing.
Trinitas has a statewide presence, providing care in each of New Jersey’s 21 counties through over 80 locations. Trinitas provides care for over 16,000 inpatients, 1,500 newborns, 63,000 emergency visits and over 400,000 outpatient visits each year.
Contact:
Doug Harris, BA, MS
Trinitas Regional Medical Center
908-994-5138
Ellen Greene
RWJBarnabas Health
973-322-4018