While the new University Medical Center of Princeton at Plainsboro that is being built off Route 1 is already expected to be on the cutting-edge in healthcare when it opens, hospital officials think they can do more.
Princeton HealthCare System officials announced this month that the new hospital will be “re-imagined” thanks to a “robust” fundraising campaign that has already eclipsed its original goal of $115 million in private donations.
Design for Healing, the campaign to support the new hospital, is seeking an additional $35 million — for a total goal of $150 million — by March, 2013, approximately a year after the new hospital is expected to open.
The additional $35 million to be raised will enable PHCS to double the number of beds in the pediatric unit and expand services provided to newborns in the special care nursery. It will also allow the hospital to expand the emergency department to provide specialized treatment areas, such as for elderly patients. It will also enable the hospital to increase the number of inpatient beds designed for and dedicated to caring the elderly.
With the extra money, the hospital also plans to enlarge the Cancer Center and modify its design to accommodate a potential academic and research partner. Hospital officials also hope to complete two hybrid operating rooms — one for complex vascular surgery and one for intricate neurosurgery.
“We are not raising the campaign goal for the hospital we had planned; we are resetting our goal for the project we are now able to re-imagine,” said Barry Rabner, the president and CEO of PHCS.
Said Design for Healing co-chair Bob Doll: “The new clinical services and technology made possible by increasing the goal will broaden the impact of our hospital. We hope this expanded mission will inspire new and continued support from those who value healthcare in our community.”
The new hospital will replace the University Medical Center at Princeton as part of Princeton HealthCare System (PHCS).
