Bergen Lawmakers Applaud Westwood Mayor’s Efforts to Keep Hospital Open for Community
Assembly Democrats Connie Wagner and Tim Eustace (both D-Bergen/Passaic) on Thursday attended the grand reopening of Pascack Valley Hospital as Hackensack University Medical Center-North and applauded the efforts by Westwood Mayor John Birkner to ensure that the surrounding community still has access to vital, first-rate medical care.
The hospital closed in 2007 and in 2009 eight municipalities, including Oradell in the lawmakers’ 38th District, had successful referendums in support of reopening a hospital at the site. At today’s grand reopening, HUMC-North announced it plans to begin accepting patients again on June 1.
“This facility is vital to the short and long-term health of our community, from both a medical and economic perspective. Thanks to the efforts of Mayor Birkner, this rebirth has led to many much-needed construction and healthcare jobs and in the long-term will provide peace of mind for residents knowing the care they need is just a heartbeat away,” said Wagner.
“As a former Mayor, I know first hand how devastating it can be to the community to lose a vital economic engine such as a hospital so I applaud Mayor Birkner for his relentless efforts to preserve Pascack Valley. Not only will this ensure the delivery of critical care to residents, but it will help preserve much needed jobs and revenue in Bergen County,” said Eustace.