For Immediate Release
August 29, 2007
Contact: Michael Valentino
732-751-7538

MERIDIAN HEALTH CELEBRATES 10TH ANNIVERSARY

Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Ocean Medical Center, and Riverview Medical Center merged in 1997 to form integrated health system for Monmouth and Ocean Counties

Neptune, NJ - Meridian Health is celebrating 10 years since the organization was first formed in 1997 with the merger of Jersey Shore University Medical Center (then Jersey Shore Medical Center), Ocean Medical Center (then Medical Center of Ocean County), and Riverview Medical Center. The 10th anniversary was recognized recently at the not-for-profit's annual meeting held at the Oyster Point Hotel in Red Bank. Over 200 trustees, physicians, donors, nurses, administrators and staff joined John K. Lloyd, FACHE, president and CEO, in celebrating the organization's success.

Meridian has flourished since its inception, achieving the many benefits of the merger through effective consolidation and pioneering new efficiencies - growing substantially into a full continuum of health care services and one of the leading not-for-profit health care providers in New Jersey.

Today, Meridian includes Jersey Shore, which is now the region's first university-level academic hospital and is home to the K. Hovnanian Children's Hospital - the first state designated children's hospital in the region; Ocean Medical Center, which has expanded significantly and now includes the Ocean Care Center in Point Pleasant; Riverview Medical Center, which has also expanded and is home to many of the most advanced technologies in the region; and the Meridian Partner Companies which includes home care services agencies, long term care and rehabilitation centers, occupational health services, ambulatory care centers, and an ambulance and medical transportation service.

"We are very excited to recognize this important milestone in our history of caring for this community, as we have followed our vision and on the foundation of three respected medical centers, built a complete continuum of health care services that is unsurpassed in the region and the state," says Lloyd. "Today, we have patients from all areas of New Jersey and beyond coming to us for care. We are home to some of the most advanced level of services and programs, many which are not offered by any other hospital, and our clinical quality has been rated among the very best in the state. I believe our slogan says it best - we truly are Taking Care of New Jersey."

1990s Hospital Merger Trend
Meridian was formed in the 1990s when many hospital mergers were a common response to the arrival of managed care and HMOs. While there continues to be some small consolidations around the country, the trend has since leveled off. Most hospitals in New Jersey and the United States are now either a part of a merged hospital system or have an affiliation with a larger hospital network. Meridian being formed by three local medical centers remains the largest health system in the region, which is based solely in Monmouth and Ocean counties.

"The 1990s was a very challenging time for the health care industry, particularly for physicians and hospitals," says Lloyd. "We were facing workforce shortages; increasing costs for technology, pharmaceutical, supply, and insurance; and a skyrocketing number of the uninsured or underinsured - all while Medicare, Medicaid and many private insurance providers began significantly reducing their reimbursements to hospitals for the care and services provided. This 'perfect storm' in the industry led to the consolidation of hospitals into merged systems across the country in an effort to have strength in numbers."

Through a merger, hospitals were able to consolidate certain operations, have a larger, combined financial resource to fund facility and technology upgrades, and negotiate better rates for equipment and supplies and insurance reimbursement. A merger also allowed for a larger pool of talent and expertise to improve quality and services.

"The structure of the system also allows for information and idea sharing between the hospitals, so that we build a consistent high level of quality and patient experience at all facilities and programs we provide," says Lloyd. "Our physicians in particular have supported the organization's vision, and over the years have come together in advancing clinical quality and effectiveness throughout Meridian, earning state and national recognition."

But merging former competitors and individual institutions with distinct cultures and traditions is not always easy, with many merged hospital systems around the country failing, re-organizing with other partners, or simply not realizing all the potential benefits of a merged system.

"Many other organizations have tried to form similar organizations to Meridian without as much success," says Lloyd. "They have become essentially 'marriages of convenience,' with little to no synergy or partnership between their partners. At Meridian, our success has been made possible by people - our trustees, physicians, nurses, administrators, and staff - all sharing a common vision and commitment to providing our community with nothing but the best."

Never More than 20 Minutes Away
While known largely throughout the state as a leading provider of hospital and inpatient care, Meridian has grown to provide a full network of health care services located throughout the community and even into patient's homes.

In addition to its hospitals, Meridian includes: Meridian At Home which provides home nursing, rehabilitation, hospice, infusion therapy, and medical equipment delivery; Meridian Subacute Rehabilitation in Wall; Meridian Nursing and Rehabilitation in Brick, Ocean Grove, and Red Bank; Meridian Occupational Health which provides workplace health and safety services located in six locations throughout the region; Meridian Behavioral Health providing outpatient behavioral health services in Neptune and Shrewsbury; Meridian Life fitness and Rehabilitation in four locations; as well as ambulatory care centers and physician practices throughout Monmouth and Ocean counties.

Meridian is also partners with Alert Ambulance, one of the largest providers of ambulance and medical transportation services in New Jersey; and together with JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute, provides Shore Rehabilitation Institute, a comprehensive inpatient rehabilitation center located at Ocean Medical Center in Brick.

"What makes Meridian truly unique in our community and throughout the state is the fully comprehensive continuum of health care services we provide," says Lloyd. "We set out with a goal to ensure that no resident in our two counties would be more than 20 minutes away from a Meridian service. In a fairly short time we have achieved that vision through our hospitals, ambulatory care and rehab facilities, physician practices, and in-home services that deliver the Meridian brand of health care right to our patients no matter what they need or where they are."

Growing with the Community
With the population of Monmouth and Ocean counties continuing to outpace the state average, Meridian has invested heavily into improvements and advancements throughout its facilities to keep up with the demand for its services. At Ocean Medical Center, a new ambulatory care pavilion, parking garage, and $43 million East Wing expansion have been completed, providing state-of-the-art surgical suites, critical care center, and new home to the Shore Rehabilitation Institute.

Ocean Medical Center also opened the Ocean Care Center, the first satellite hospital emergency department in New Jersey. Located at the intersection of Routes 35 and 70 in Point Pleasant, the Ocean Care Center provides round-the-clock emergency care staffed by emergency trained physicians and nurses, as well as additional laboratory and diagnostic imaging services. The ease of access and location has made the facility a high demand service for southern Monmouth County and northern Ocean County residents.

Over $63 million was invested in the "New View of Riverview" expansion and renovation project at Riverview Medical Center, which underwent the largest construction project in its 75-year history. Riverview is now home to a brand new state-of-the-art emergency care center, critical care pavilion, rehabilitation center, and radiation oncology center, as well as many brand new patient and visitor areas and amenities that take full advantage of Riverview's spectacular surroundings.

And last year, Jersey Shore University Medical Center broke ground on its own landmark $300 million expansion and renovation project. Named 'Transforming Care,' the project is one of the largest hospital construction projects in New Jersey history, consisting of a new patient care pavilion, state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment building, leading edge technology, a parking garage, and enhanced patient and visitor amenities, including room service meals and bedside internet access - all designed to advance available services and increase access to care at the region's only university-level medical center.

Focus on Quality
In addition to expanding its depth and breadth of services and programs, Meridian has also invested heavily in ensuring the quality of its clinical programs remains consistently high, regularly participating in state and national quality improvement collaborations and initiatives. As a result, Meridian's clinical quality has been rated by the State of New Jersey among the highest of all the state's hospitals, with Meridian's hospitals receiving the highest quality scores among all hospitals in Monmouth and Ocean counties.

One of the most high profile quality initiatives, Meridian launched an innovative computer-based physician order entry system that earned Meridian the prestigious John M. Eisenberg Award for Patient Safety and Quality, a national award bestowed by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations and the National Quality Forum.

"At Meridian, we believe that quality patient care is a journey, not a destination," says Lloyd. "For us, it's about supporting a culture of quality improvement that continues to grow, where as soon as we reach one goal; we see another goal on the horizon to work toward."

Workplace of Choice
In addition to being a leading health care provider, Meridian is also an employer - the largest in fact in Monmouth and Ocean counties. With over 8,300 employees, Meridian has been named the state's "Outstanding Employer of the Year," and consistently ranked as one of the "Best Places to Work" in New Jersey, making Meridian one of the most desirable place to work and a major economic driver in Monmouth and Ocean counties. At a time when the nation is facing a severe nursing shortage, Meridian's culture and commitment to nurses and nursing excellence has resulted in Meridian's nursing vacancy rate consistently among the lowest in the nation.

"The secret to our success is people - the people who we ask to join our team and care for our community, and so we have built an organization to best support the people who are caring for our patients," says Lloyd. "We have worked hard to build this team and are fortunate to have the high caliber physicians, dedicated trustees and community supporters, and exceptional nurses, staff, and volunteers who work 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year caring for everyone in our community. And I am very excited about what is on our horizon in the next decade."

Meridian Health Facts and Figures: 1997 to 2007
Since its formation in 1997, Meridian Health, its Partner Hospitals and Partner Companies:
- 569,356 inpatient admissions*
- 9,675,720 outpatient procedures
- 55,357 newborn deliveries*
- 8,312 cardiac surgeries*
- 114,642 inpatient surgeries
- 161,951 same day surgeries
- 1.8 million home care nursing, hospice, and home health visits
- 4 million physical rehabilitation treatments*
- 96,070 cardiac catheterization lab procedures
- 1,348,455 emergency department visits
- 4,041 neonatal intensive care newborns
- 674,734 family health clinic visits
- Provided over $472,830,000 in charity and uncompensated care to the uninsured and underinsured
- With over 8,000 employees, is the largest employer in Monmouth and Ocean counties
- Annually contributes over $1.2 billion into the local economy.**

* Includes YTD June 2007
** 2005 Economic Contribution Study conducted by Rutgers University Center for Urban Policy and Research

Meridian's "First and Only" Services and Programs in Monmouth and Ocean Counties
- First and only university-level academic medical center
- First and only regional trauma center
- First and only cardiac surgery program
- First state designated children's hospital
- First and only provider of the CyberKnife technology
- First satellite emergency department in the state
- First nationally accredited comprehensive stroke center

Meridian's Awards and Recognitions
- First health system in the nation to receive the Magnet Award for Nursing Excellence
- First health system in NJ to receive the national John M. Eisenberg Award for Patient Safety and Quality
- First health system in the region to be included in the nation?s top 100 "Most Wired" Health Systems for eight consecutive years
- Named one of the "Best Places to Work in New Jersey" for three consecutive years by NJBiz
- "Outstanding Employer of the Year" by New Jersey Business and Industry Association
- Riverview Medical Center and Jersey Shore University Medical Center named "Distinguished Hospitals" by J.D. Power and Associates
- Jersey Shore University Medical Center received the NJ Governor's Award for Performance Improvement

Meridian Health Major Milestones and Accomplishments: 1996 to 2006

1996: A formal merger agreement is signed to create Meridian Health, a partnership of Jersey Shore University Medical Center (then Jersey Shore Medical Center), Ocean Medical Center (then Medical Center of Ocean County), and Riverview Medical Center. The merger would become effective January 1, 1997.

1997: Meridian became first health care system in the U.S. to achieve Magnet Award for Nursing Excellence.

1997: Meridian launches its Meridian Partner Companies, community-based health services that would grow to include home nursing, hospice, and rehab services; rehabilitation and long term care centers; physician practices; ambulance service, ambulatory surgery centers, and medical equipment and health technology services.

1997: Meridian nurses are honored with the Governor's Nursing Merit Award, a recognition they will receive 16 times over the next 10 years.

1999: New Jersey's first cardiac surgery report card shows that Jersey Shore has the lowest mortality rate in the state for coronary artery bypass graft surgery, a level of quality that would be repeatedly recognized every year since.

2000: All inpatient hospital services are transitioned out of Point Pleasant Hospital and consolidated with Brick Hospital. A new ambulatory care center expansion opens at Brick Hospital.

2000: Meridian opens its first ambulatory surgery center in Shrewsbury, others will follow in Toms River, Manalapan, Lakewood, and Eatontown.

2000: Meridian opens The Sycamore, its first Assisted Living community; future Assisted Living communities will be built in Howell, Colts Neck, and Toms River.

2001: Riverview Medical Center breaks ground on the $63 million New View of Riverview expansion and renovation project, which includes a new radiation oncology center, new emergency department and ICU, parking garage, and significant technology upgrades.

2002: Jersey Shore becomes the region's first full member of the National Association of Children's Hospitals.

2003: Meridian launches new logos and positioning to reinforce close community relationships with its hospitals and services. Medical Center of Ocean County is renamed Ocean Medical Center.

2003: Jersey Shore becomes a university level teaching hospital affiliate of UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School ? the first and only university level academic medical center in Monmouth and Ocean counties.

2003: Meridian is named "Outstanding Employer of the Year" by the New Jersey Business and Industry Association.

2004: Ocean Medical Center opens its $43 million East Wing expansion which includes a new home for the Shore Rehabilitation Institute and a new state-of-the-art ICU.

2004: Ocean Care Center, the state's first satellite emergency department opens in Point Pleasant offering emergency care and on-site lab and radiology services.

2004: Jersey Shore University Medical Center celebrates its centennial year with "Caring for the Shore Since 1904"

2005: Riverview becomes one of only a handful of hospitals in the nation offering the CyberKnife, a revolutionary stereotactic radiosurgery technology enabling physicians to treat previously inoperable tumors and lesions.

2005: Jersey Shore becomes the first state designated children's hospital in Monmouth and Ocean counties.

2005: Meridian and its physicians receive the prestigious John M. Eisenberg Award for Patient Safety and Quality.

2005: Meridian is named one of the "Best Places to Work in New Jersey" by NJ Biz magazine, a distinction Meridian has since received three times.

2006: K. Hovnanian Children's Hospital is dedicated in honor of Kevork and Emily Hovnanian.

2006: Jersey Shore breaks ground on the $300 million Transforming Care expansion and renovation project which includes a new patient care pavilion, a state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment building, parking garage, and substantial technology and patient care amenity upgrades.

2006: Meridian launches Meridian At Home, a full continuum of home health care services and products to ensure healthy independent living in the home.

2006: Jersey Shore and Riverview are recognized as "Distinguished Hospitals" by J.D. Power and Associates.

2006: Jersey Shore receives the New Jersey Governor's Award for Performance Improvement.

2006: Meridian's hospitals rank among the best in New Jersey for consistently meeting quality measures in the first hospital quality report card issues by the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services.

About Meridian Health
Meridian Health is a family of not-for-profit health care organizations comprising Jersey Shore University Medical Center and K. Hovnanian Children's Hospital in Neptune, Ocean Medical Center in Brick, Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank, and Meridian Partner Companies that include home care agencies, long-term and assisted living communities, ambulatory care, ambulance services, and occupational health located throughout Monmouth and Ocean counties. Meridian Health was the first health care organization in the nation to achieve the prestigious Magnet designation for its nursing staff at each of its partner hospitals and has been named one of the best places to work in New Jersey for two consecutive years. For more information, please visit www.meridianhealth.com.

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