Have You Seen the Lobby? HEALTH

No one usually enjoys a trip to the hospital. But Newark Beth Israel Medical Center’s $150 million expansion project is luring people—sick and well—to check out its new 17,500-square-foot, glass-enclosed lobby.

Grammy-award winning artist and Newark’s own Faith Evans was on hand, along with officials from RWJ Barnabas Health, Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and the City of Newark, to officially cut the ribbon to open the new lobby.

The renovated space features larger, modern seating areas and green spaces that make the waiting areas more comfortable for visitors. Updates also include more pick-up and drop-off locations for patients, an expanded registration area, a cafe, and the ‘Giantomasi Family Community Room’—an 800-square-foot meeting space.

What Else Is New at Beth?

The new lobby at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center is the most visible element of the larger Newark Strong Expansion Project that began in 2019. But that’s not all. “By the end of 2024 Newark Beth Israel will have a newly designed and expanded emergency department, cardiac catheterization lab, and several new operating rooms,” said Darrell K. Terry, Sr., president and Chief Executive Officer.

New Emergency Room Coming Soon

Expected to complete in 2024, the emergency department—which treats approximately 95,000 patients annually—will expand by almost 4,000 square feet. The expansion includes 10 new private exam rooms, a new waiting area, and a dedicated entrance for the pediatric emergency department.

New Mommy-Baby Space

One of the first areas to receive improvements was the 34-bed Mother-Baby unit, which has been newly renovated with private, spacious rooms including 13 brand new suites. Plans also include updating the family waiting rooms next.

New Senior Space

In 2022, Newark Beth Israel Medical Center opened a new geriatric unit with 24 private,