Photo by Chris Sykes East Orange 4th Ward Councilman Casim Gomez, right, points to the T-shirt his wife is wearing on Saturday, Oct. 15, during the East Orange General Hospital 'Come See Health Fair.'
East Orange 4th Ward Councilman Casim Gomez, right, points to the T-shirt his wife is wearing on Saturday, Oct. 15, during the East Orange General Hospital ‘Come See Health Fair.’
EAST ORANGE, NJ — East Orange General Hospital cordoned off a portion of North Munn Avenue on Saturday, Oct. 15, to host its Come See Health Fair. Offering free health screenings, food and entertainment, it was intended as a chance for neighboring municipalities to “come see” what the new East Orange General Hospital has to offer, according to East Orange General Hospital Chief Executive Officer Otis L. Story.
“We have invited the community to come see what we’re doing, in terms of revitalizing this institution,” Story said Saturday, Oct. 15. “’Come See’ is a theme that we’re using to promote the new East Orange General Hospital. We want the people of East Orange and contiguous municipalities to come see what we’re doing. We have developed new programs, new services. We have recruited new physicians like Dr. Majid, a world-renowned metabolic bariatric surgeon. We’re extremely excited about the programs and services that we’re bringing to this community today.”
East Orange Mayor Lester Taylor, City Council President and Councilman Ted Green and Councilman Casim Gomez attended the hospital’s event.
“This hospital is in my ward and I’m very excited about the prospect of this hospital improving,” Gomez said Saturday, Oct. 15. “I’m glad it didn’t close. I’m glad that a large company brought it out and is concerned about the community. I’m just excited about all the prospects that’s happening in the city of East Orange. ”
Gomez said he was also excited about the free health care screenings offered to the community on Saturday, Oct. 15, and Green actually took advantage of the opportunity to get a free weight screening, courtesy of the hospital.
“They told me I’m overweight, but I work out all the time,” Green, who is also a practicing martial artist and teacher, said. “I’m going to have to get back on my game and train a little harder. Maybe I need to change or adjust my diet so that, the next time I get a free health screening, I’ll pass it.”
Green said he’s just happy to know there will be a next time, because East Orange General Hospital is one of the few urban community hospitals to survive the rash of closings, including nearby Irvington General and Orange Memorial hospitals. On Wednesday, March 16, Prospect Medical Holdings Inc. announced that it had completed its acquisition of East Orange General Hospital, which would “help ensure the longstanding community health care provider’s future as an acute care hospital.”
In addition, Story was named the hospital’s president and CEO. The transfer of ownership followed the approval of Prospect’s bid for the institution by federal bankruptcy Judge Vincent F. Papalia on Wednesday, Jan. 20.
The state Department of Health and the state attorney general also approved Prospect’s acquisition of East Orange General Hospital. Prospect has committed to provide in excess of $50 million in operational and capital investments to East Orange General Hospital during the next five years, as well as to maintain the hospital as an acute care facility, retain the hospital’s employee and physician base, provide working capital funding and assume all the hospital’s outstanding debt.
The commitment also includes the establishment of a community health improvement initiative allowing the hospital’s foundation to work directly with patients, families, physicians and community leaders to promote wellness. The asset purchase agreement also calls for the creation of an advisory board, made up of current East Orange General trustees and other community leaders, such as Goldie Burbage, who also serves as president of the Historical Society of East Orange.
Burbage was not at the Come See Health Fair on Saturday, Oct. 15, but she has gone on the record regarding the hospital’s sale to Prospect.
On Monday, Sept. 26, during the East Orange City Council meeting, Burbage said, “I’m glad that the hospital is still open and ready, willing and able to serve the city and the community.”
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