The Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital was founded as the New Brunswick City Hospital in 1884,[3] but it changed its name to the John Wells Memorial Hospital in 1889 when community leader and volunteer Grace Tileston Wells donated a building at the corner of Somerset and Division streets in honor of her late husband, John Wells. That first small building was expanded in 1916 to accommodate the growing area and renamed Middlesex General Hospital.[3] In 1958, an addition to the hospital was built that housed the first vascular lab in New Jersey, an intensive care unit, cardiopulmonary lab, a thirteen-room operating suite, and increased the number of beds by 287.[4] At this time, the Department of Clinical Research was established, X-ray technologist training began, and the hospital auxiliary was founded.[5] In 1986, the hospital was renamed Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital after Robert Wood Johnson II, the former president and chairman of the board of Johnson & Johnson.[6]
In 2014, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital and Somerset Medical Center officially completed their merger.[7]
In 2015, Barnabas Health and Robert Wood Johnson Health System signed an agreement which outlines the merger between these two health systems.[8] Once complete, the transaction would create New Jersey's largest health care system and one of the largest in the nation. The New Jersey Attorney General must review the deal before it is official, with the expectation that the merger would be completed in 2016.[9] On March 30, 2016, the two health systems officially merged and formed RWJBarnabas.[10]
Additionally in 2015, the hospital opened The Laurie Proton Therapy Center.[11] Made possible thanks to a lead gift from the Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation as well as support from individual donors, it is currently home to the world's third MEVION S250 Proton Therapy System.[citation needed] The center treats prostate, breast, lung, head and neck, brain, pediatric, pancreatic, and other cancers with what is currently considered to be the most precise form of cancer treatment. Instead of using conventional radiation therapy to destroy cancer cells, proton therapy uses a beam of protons that can be aimed directly at tumors. There is less damage to surrounding tissue, and doctors can use a higher dose of radiation than conventional therapy. The treatment is painless, has mild side effects, and has minimal risk. Proton therapy is part of a comprehensive range of advanced cancer treatment options offered by RWJ in partnership with Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey (CINJ), Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and private physicians in the community.[12][13]
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, New Brunswick
The American College of Surgeons' Commission on Cancer has rated RWJUH among the nation's best comprehensive cancer centers and the hospital's Comprehensive Stroke Center is certified by the Joint Commission to provide complex stroke care.[16]
The emergency room and Level 1 Trauma Center of the Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, NJ
Harvard University researchers, in a study commissioned by The Commonwealth Fund, identified RWJUH as one of the top-ten hospitals in the nation for clinical quality.[17][18] RWJUH is also a four-time recipient of the Magnet Award for Nursing Excellence.[19] The Institute for Diversity and Health Management, an American Hospital Association (AHA) affiliate, has recognized RWJUH as a "Best in Class" hospital for diversity management and addressing health disparities.
In 2011 the hospital was listed on the "100 Top Grossing Hospitals in America" as the 45th highest grossing hospital in America by Becker's Hospital Review.[20]
U.S. News rankings
RWJUH New Brunswick has been ranked among the best hospitals in America by U.S. News & World Report seven times and has been selected by the publication as a high-performing hospital in several specialties. The hospital is also listed as the best hospital in the Central New Jersey area.[21]
In 2007 the hospital was ranked nationally in four specialties by the 2007-08 U.S. News & World Report: Best Hospital rankings. The hospital was ranked #40 in geriatrics, #26 in cardiology & heart surgery, #26 in respiratory disorders, and #50 in urology.[22]
In 2008 the hospital was ranked nationally in two specialties by the 2008-09 U.S. News & World Report: Best Hospital rankings. The hospital was ranked #50 in cardiology & heart surgery, and #40 in respiratory disorders.[23]
A panorama of the Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick.
In 2009 the hospital was ranked nationally in three specialties by the 2009-10 U.S. News & World Report: Best Hospital rankings. The hospital was ranked #40 in cancer, #36 in cardiology & heart surgery, and #50 in respiratory disorders.[24]
In 2010 the hospital was ranked nationally in one specialties by the 2010-11 U.S. News & World Report: Best Hospital rankings. The hospital was ranked #37 in pulmonology and respiratory disorders.[25]
In 2011 the hospital was ranked nationally in one specialty by the 2011-12 U.S. News & World Report: Best Hospital rankings. The hospital was ranked #42 in pulmonology and respiratory disorders.[26]
In 2012 the hospital was ranked nationally in three specialties by the 2012-13 U.S. News & World Report: Best Hospital rankings. The hospital was ranked #49 in cancer, #47 in geriatrics, and #37 in pulmonology.[27]
In 2014 the hospital was ranked nationally in one specialty by the 2014-15 U.S. News & World Report: Best Hospital rankings. The hospital was ranked #50 in cancer.[28]
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset, a RWJBarnabas Health facility, is a nationally accredited, 297-bed[29] regional medical center providing a variety of comprehensive emergency, medical/surgical, behavioral health and rehabilitative services located in Somerville, New Jersey. As a designated teaching hospital of Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School,[15] the hospital maintains a family medicine residency program with 21 residents. Located on campus is the Steeplechase Cancer Center at RWJUH Somerset, a clinical research affiliate of Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, has been designated as a Comprehensive Community Cancer Center by the American College of Surgeons’ Commission on Cancer.
Awards
RWJUH Somerset is nationally recognized as a Magnet hospital for nursing excellence.[30] Its Steeplechase Cancer Center is designated as a Comprehensive Community Cancer Center by the American College of Surgeons' Commission on Cancer[31] – a distinction achieved by only one in four hospitals nationwide that treat cancer patients. The Joint Surgery Institute at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset has earned the Joint Commission's Gold Seal of Approval for total knee- and total hip-replacement surgery.[32] The medical center is designated as a Primary Stroke Center by the Joint Commission and the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services.[16] It is one of nine Medical Coordination Centers established by the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services to coordinate communication among emergency responders during a disaster situation.[33]
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, Hamilton
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton is a 287-bed non-profit, public, research and academic teaching hospital located in Hamilton providing care for western New Jersey and beyond.[34] The medical center is a part of the RWJBarnabas Health System. Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton is affiliated with the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton also features state designated Primary Angioplasty Site. The hospital is accredited by the Joint Commission and has earned an A on the Leapfrog Group's hospital safety grades.[35][36] The hospital is also an accredited primary stroke center.[37]
The front facade of the neighboring Bristol-Myers Squibb Children's Hospital.Cancer Institute of New JerseyLaurie Proton Therapy Center in New Brunswick, NJ.
In 2019, officials from RWJBarnabas announced that plans were made to construct a new 12 story, $750 million cancer hospital across the street from RWJUH.[46][47] The new hospital would have 96 inpatient beds and many outpatient treatment bays.[48][49] The proposed site for the hospital is currently an old school, "Lincoln Street School" which RWJBarnabas would build a brand new $55 million school a few blocks away as part of the land acquisition.[50] The additions are a part of a plan from RWJBarnabas officials to create a top 10 cancer hospital.
^McFarlane, E; Murphy, J; Olmsted, M; Drozd, E; Hill, C (2007). "America's Best Hospitals 2007 methodology"(PDF). RTI International. U.S. News & World Report. pp. 81, 83, 87, 88. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
^McFarlane, ES., Murphy, J., Olmsted, M., Drozd, E., & Hill, C. (2009). 2009 methodology: America's Best Hospitals. https://www.rti.org/publication/2009-methodology/fulltext.pdfRTI International. U.S. News & World Report. pp. 90, 96, 100. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
^Murphy, J., McFarlane, E., Olmsted, M., Williams, J., Pitts, A., Bell, D., Morley, M., & Hill, C. (2011). Methodology: U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals 2011-12. https://www.rti.org/publication/methodology-7/fulltext.pdfRTI International. U.S. News & World Report. pp. 116. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
^Murphy, J., Geisen, E., Olmsted, M., Williams, J., Pitts, A., Bell, D., Morley, M., & Stanley, M. (2012). Methodology: U.S. News & World Report best hospitals 2012-13. https://www.usnews.com/pubfiles/7-17AdultMethReport2012_Final.pdfRTI International. U.S. News & World Report. pp. 109, 114, 119. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
^Olmsted, M., Geisen, E., Murphy, J., Bell, D., Morley, M., & Stanley, M. (2014). Methodology: U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals 2014-15. Research Triangle Park, NC: https://www.rti.org/publication/methodology-6/fulltext.pdfRTI International. U.S. News & World Report. pp. 110. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
