Penn Medicine Princeton Health Celebrates 100 Years Of Caring For Residents of Central New Jersey

Penn Medicine Princeton Health marked its 100-year anniversary today with a special celebration to thank the community for its longstanding support and for helping to make Princeton Health one of the most comprehensive healthcare systems in New Jersey.

“Princeton Health has been honored to provide care to our community for the past 100 years, “ said Penn Medicine Princeton Health President and CEO Barry Rabner. “We are confident that with the continued support of our community and the skill and passion of our physicians and staff, along with our partnership with Penn Medicine, we will continue to be the provider of choice to people living in New Jersey.

“Over the past century, we have learned to listen, learn and act to deliver great care,” Rabner added. “Our values — communication, compassion, collaboration, excellence and integrity — will continue to guide us in all we do.”

Hundreds of people joined in the community celebration, which was held at Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center and included interactive health and wellness exhibits; healthy cooking demonstrations; fashion shows featuring patients who have had bariatric surgery; a close up look at a fire truck, police car and ambulance, and a Drug Take Back Program, where attendees turned in their leftover prescription medications for proper disposal. A teddy bear clinic and a family yoga class were also held.

Following the community event, Princeton Health held a celebration – and employee talent showcase – for physicians, employees and volunteers. A second event for physicians, employees and volunteers along with a dinner for first responders are planned for tomorrow.

Princeton Medical Center, then Princeton Hospital, first opened its doors on Nov. 24, 1919, after the great flu epidemic of 1918 made the need for a full-time hospital apparent.

A small farmhouse on Witherspoon Street was donated, and it was converted into a hospital with an operating room and two “sun parlors” with 22 beds for patients.

The hospital admitted 363 patients during its first year, including 78 maternity patients.

Today, Princeton Health provides a wide range of inpatient and outpatient care, behavioral health and addiction services, rehabilitation, homecare and hospice, and fitness and wellness services to more than 1.3 million people in central New Jersey.

In 2012, Princeton Health built a new state-of-the-art hospital on Route 1 in Plainsboro to enhance access for patients, accommodate new technologies and improve safety and comfort. Like the original hospital on Witherspoon Street, the new hospital received tremendous community support. The Design for Healing capital campaign raised a record-breaking $171.3 million, with more than 11,000 individuals, corporations and foundations contributing.

In fiscal year 2018, Princeton Health admitted over 18,000 patients and had more than 49,000 emergency department visits. Outpatient visits totaled 313,110, including more than 93,300 visits to Princeton House Behavioral Health. More than 2,200 babies were born at the hospital in fiscal year 2018, and Princeton HomeCare made more than 72,200 visits.

Princeton Health employs approximately 3,300 staff and has an active medical staff of more than 1,300 physicians. Princeton Medicine, Princeton Health’s group of employed primary and specialty physicians, employs more than 170 practitioners at 21 locations across central New Jersey.

In January 2018, Princeton Health joined University of Pennsylvania Health System, creating a powerful partnership that ensures Princeton Health can continue its mission of serving the community and providing high-quality care close to home while also providing easier access to the latest medical breakthroughs, clinical trials, cutting-edge technology and specialized clinical expertise.

Princeton Health has earned numerous awards and recognitions over the past 100 years.

In U.S. News & World Report's 2019-2020 Best Hospitals rankings, PMC was recognized as a Best Regional Hospital in central New Jersey and rated high performing in hip replacement, knee replacement, and treating heart failure. It was the fifth year in a row that PMC earned those designations. PMC also was ranked the No. 11 hospital in New Jersey and No. 26 among hospitals in the entire New York metropolitan region.

Last year, PMC ranked in the top 10 percent of New Jersey hospitals for overall inpatient satisfaction, according to surveys administered by research firm Press Ganey.


About Penn Medicine Princeton Health
Penn Medicine Princeton Health is one of the most comprehensive healthcare systems in New Jersey, providing acute care hospital services through Princeton Medical Center; behavioral healthcare through Princeton House Behavioral Health; in-home nursing, rehabilitation and hospice care; primary and specialty care through Princeton Medicine Physicians; ambulatory surgery and wellness services. For more information, visit www.princetonhcs.org. Penn Medicine Princeton Health is part of the University of Pennsylvania Health System (UPHS), which, together with the University of Pennsylvania’s Raymond and Ruth Perelman School of Medicine, forms Penn Medicine, one of the world’s leading academic medical centers, dedicated to the related missions of medical education, biomedical research and excellence in patient care.


MEDIA CONTACTS

Kim Maialetti
Mobile: 267-258-0076
kim@wordplayllc.com

Andy Williams
Mobile: 609-695-6173
anwilliams@princetonhcs.org