RWJUH Somerset raises first steel beam on Orthopedic Center of Excellence

76,600 sq. ft. expansion will also house emergency department rapid decision unit

Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset has raised the first steel beam on the new 76,600-square-foot expansion housing its new Orthopedic Center of Excellence. The vertical expansion above the hospital’s existing Orthopedics Pavilion and Emergency Department building will house 35 fully private patient rooms and a state-of-the-art rehab gym for orthopedic patients, as well as a 10-room ED Rapid Decision Unit.

“This expansion will continue to make RWJUH Somerset a premier destination in the region for orthopedic care, and we are excited to raise the first beam to get the project underway,” Tony Cava, CEO and president of RWJUH Somerset, said. “Our Orthopedic Center of Excellence will create a preeminent facility to house all of our orthopedic patients in one area, further enhancing the care patients experience from our nationally recognized program. Additionally, the new space will facilitate future growth opportunities as we continue to evolve with the health care needs of our local community.”

The Orthopedic Center of Excellence will ensure that joint surgery patients can receive the highest quality pre- and post-operative care close to home, eliminating the need for patients to travel for surgery and rehabilitation.

Patients will experience privacy and comfort through 35 thoughtfully furnished private inpatient rooms featuring amenities such as convertible sleeper sofas, USB ports and work surfaces, and a state-of-the-art rehabilitation gym.

The project will also include a 10-room Rapid Decision Unit for RWJUH Somerset’s ED. Patients who require additional observation will occupy these rooms, helping reduce wait times in the ED providing increased comfort for patients and their families.

The project is slated to be completed in late 2024.