The University Hospital (Newark, New Jersey)
Encyclopedia
The University Hospital is the teaching hospital
of the New Jersey Medical School
in Newark
, New Jersey
.
(UMDNJ), and is the primary teaching hospital of the New Jersey Medical School
, a school within the UMDNJ system.
The hospital has 519 beds and over 3,000 employees. The trauma center at University Hospital is one of only three New Jersey State-Designated Level I Trauma Centers. It is certified by the American College of Surgeons
and serves as the regional trauma center for northern New Jersey. It has a helipad to support the NorthSTAR helicopter emergency and critical care transport system
.
University Hospital is the largest provider of uncompensated care in New Jersey, and has over $100 million in debt. Operating losses have threatened the ability of the hospital to provide essential services.
over-billings. The criminal complaint filed against the institution charges that health care fraud occurred through alleged double-billing of Medicaid between May 2001 and November 2004 for physician services in outpatient clinics. A deferred prosecution agreement
was filed in federal court in Newark, N.J., Dec. 29, 2005 to avoid prosecution. Herbert Jay Stern
, a former U.S. Attorney
and federal judge in New Jersey, was appointed as a federal monitor to oversee and enforce compliance in accordance with the deferred prosecution agreement that outlines reform and action to help resolve illegal practices and restore financial integrity and professionalism to the institution. In March 2008, UMDNJ announced that its accreditation by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education had been restored, following the termination of the Deferred Prosecution Agreement; Stern had recommended the return of full responsibility for governance of the institution to the UMDNJ Board of Trustees after implementation of a number of systemic reforms by the Board and administration.
In Stratford, New Jersey
, at the UMDNJ School of Osteopathic Medicine, Warren Wallace, the prior Senior Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs, was terminated amid accusations of unethical behavior. Accusations include inappropriate use of UMDNJ time and resources for political activities, participation in efforts to obtain no-bid contracts for a friend or neighbor, and inappropriate actions in relation to obtaining admission to the School of Osteopathic Medicine for his daughter.
UMDNJ had placed the New Jersey Senator Wayne Bryant on a "no-show" job to increase funding for the school, Bryant being the chairman of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee and the Legislature's Joint Budget Oversight Committee. Bryant stepped down from this position in February 2007. The case was investigated by former United States Attorney Christopher Christie. Bryant was found guilty of the charges on November 19, 2008, and received a four-year sentence in federal prison. R. Michael Gallagher, former dean of UMDNJ, was convicted of bribing Bryant and received an 18-month sentence.
Teaching hospital
A teaching hospital is a hospital that provides clinical education and training to future and current doctors, nurses, and other health professionals, in addition to delivering medical care to patients...
of the New Jersey Medical School
New Jersey Medical School
New Jersey Medical School is one of eight schools that comprise the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey . NJMS is the oldest school of medicine in New Jersey, predating its broader parent institution, UMDNJ, by 16 years...
in Newark
Newark, New Jersey
Newark is the largest city in the American state of New Jersey, and the seat of Essex County. As of the 2010 United States Census, Newark had a population of 277,140, maintaining its status as the largest municipality in New Jersey. It is the 68th largest city in the U.S...
, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
.
Overview
The University Hospital is owned and operated by the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New JerseyUniversity of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey
The University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey is the state-run health sciences institution of New Jersey, United States. It has eight distinct academic units...
(UMDNJ), and is the primary teaching hospital of the New Jersey Medical School
New Jersey Medical School
New Jersey Medical School is one of eight schools that comprise the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey . NJMS is the oldest school of medicine in New Jersey, predating its broader parent institution, UMDNJ, by 16 years...
, a school within the UMDNJ system.
The hospital has 519 beds and over 3,000 employees. The trauma center at University Hospital is one of only three New Jersey State-Designated Level I Trauma Centers. It is certified by the American College of Surgeons
American College of Surgeons
The American College of Surgeons is an educational association of surgeons created in 1913 to improve the quality of care for the surgical patient by setting high standards for surgical education and practice.-Membership:...
and serves as the regional trauma center for northern New Jersey. It has a helipad to support the NorthSTAR helicopter emergency and critical care transport system
MEDEVAC
Medical evacuation, often termed Medevac or Medivac, is the timely and efficient movement and en route care provided by medical personnel to the wounded being evacuated from the battlefield or to injured patients being evacuated from the scene of an accident to receiving medical facilities using...
.
University Hospital is the largest provider of uncompensated care in New Jersey, and has over $100 million in debt. Operating losses have threatened the ability of the hospital to provide essential services.
History
The hospital was founded as Newark City Hospital, which first opened on September 4, 1882 with 25 beds. The College of the Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey assumed operation of the hospital from the City in 1968 and renamed the entire complex as the "Martland Hospital". A merger with the medical school of Rutgers University prompted the construction of a new hospital. The new College Hospital opened in May 1979, but the name was changed in 1981 when University Hospital university-status was legislatively awarded to the College of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey.Controversy and scandals
UMDNJ has been involved in a series of blunders that include MedicaidMedicaid
Medicaid is the United States health program for certain people and families with low incomes and resources. It is a means-tested program that is jointly funded by the state and federal governments, and is managed by the states. People served by Medicaid are U.S. citizens or legal permanent...
over-billings. The criminal complaint filed against the institution charges that health care fraud occurred through alleged double-billing of Medicaid between May 2001 and November 2004 for physician services in outpatient clinics. A deferred prosecution agreement
Deferred prosecution agreement
A deferred prosecution agreement is a voluntary alternative to adjudication in which a prosecutor agrees to grant amnesty in exchange for the defendant agreeing to fulfill certain requirements...
was filed in federal court in Newark, N.J., Dec. 29, 2005 to avoid prosecution. Herbert Jay Stern
Herbert Jay Stern
Herbert Jay Stern is a lawyer in New Jersey who formerly served as a federal judge of the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey and as United States Court for Berlin....
, a former U.S. Attorney
United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey
The U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey is the chief federal law enforcement officer in New Jersey. Paul J. Fishman was sworn into office as U.S. Attorney on October 14, 2009 after having been nominated by President Barack Obama. He succeeded Ralph J. Marra, who served as Acting U.S....
and federal judge in New Jersey, was appointed as a federal monitor to oversee and enforce compliance in accordance with the deferred prosecution agreement that outlines reform and action to help resolve illegal practices and restore financial integrity and professionalism to the institution. In March 2008, UMDNJ announced that its accreditation by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education had been restored, following the termination of the Deferred Prosecution Agreement; Stern had recommended the return of full responsibility for governance of the institution to the UMDNJ Board of Trustees after implementation of a number of systemic reforms by the Board and administration.
In Stratford, New Jersey
Stratford, New Jersey
Stratford is a Borough in Camden County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the borough population was 7,271. A campus of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey is located in Stratford....
, at the UMDNJ School of Osteopathic Medicine, Warren Wallace, the prior Senior Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs, was terminated amid accusations of unethical behavior. Accusations include inappropriate use of UMDNJ time and resources for political activities, participation in efforts to obtain no-bid contracts for a friend or neighbor, and inappropriate actions in relation to obtaining admission to the School of Osteopathic Medicine for his daughter.
UMDNJ had placed the New Jersey Senator Wayne Bryant on a "no-show" job to increase funding for the school, Bryant being the chairman of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee and the Legislature's Joint Budget Oversight Committee. Bryant stepped down from this position in February 2007. The case was investigated by former United States Attorney Christopher Christie. Bryant was found guilty of the charges on November 19, 2008, and received a four-year sentence in federal prison. R. Michael Gallagher, former dean of UMDNJ, was convicted of bribing Bryant and received an 18-month sentence.