Bergen New Bridge Medical Center Unveils Transformational Emergency Department Expansion, Expanding Access to Lifesaving Care for Bergen County and New Jersey
New Emergency Department more than doubles capacity and introduces innovative, compassionate care environments for medical and mental health emergencies
Bergen New Bridge Medical Center today cut the ribbon on a transformative expansion of its Emergency Department (ED), a major investment in the health, safety, and well-being for Bergen County and all of New Jersey. The newly expanded ED more than doubles its footprint, growing from 19 to 47 treatment beds, and is purposefully designed to meet rising emergency care demands while delivering faster, more equitable, and more compassionate care for every patient who walks through its doors.
At a time when emergency departments across the state are experiencing unprecedented volumes, the expansion strengthens Bergen New Bridge’s role as New Jersey’s largest hospital and a critical safety-net provider, ensuring that no patient is turned away and no crisis goes unanswered.
“What we are celebrating today is far more than a ribbon cutting,” said Deborah Visconi, President and CEO of Bergen New Bridge Medical Center. “This is a modern, thoughtfully designed Emergency Department built for the realities of today and the needs of tomorrow. At its core, this expansion means faster access to high-quality, lifesaving emergency care delivered with dignity, compassion, and equity for our neighbors, our families, and our entire region.”
A centerpiece of the expansion is the introduction of the EmPATH (Emergency Psychiatric Assessment, Treatment, and Healing) model, featuring calming, living-room-style spaces designed specifically for individuals experiencing a mental health crisis. These specially designed areas move patients out of chaotic clinical settings and into therapeutic environments that promote stabilization, healing, and connection to ongoing care, while also providing reassurance and comfort to loved ones.
Staffed by dedicated behavioral health experts, the new treatment areas directly address the growing mental health crisis impacting communities across New Jersey, ensuring patients receive the right care, in the right setting, at the right time.
“This expanded Emergency Department reflects a clear understanding that emergency care must evolve,” said Lieutenant Governor Dr. Dale G. Caldwell. “It must meet people where they are, respond to complex medical and behavioral health needs, and do so with dignity and respect. Governor Sherrill and I share a deep commitment to strengthening access to care and improving health outcomes across our state, and today’s milestone reflects that shared priority.”
The expansion is a cornerstone of Bergen New Bridge’s health equity strategy, designed to increase access for communities disproportionately affected by chronic illness, substance use, mental health conditions, and barriers to care. The ED continues to treat all medical emergencies 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with an average wait time of just five to ten minutes, an increasingly rare distinction.
The new Emergency Department includes specially designed pediatric and geriatric areas to ensure age-appropriate, compassionate care. It also features sensory-sensitive spaces for neurodivergent patients, offering a quieter, less stimulating environment staffed by professionals trained to meet their unique needs. Bergen New Bridge Medical Center recently earned designation as a Certified Autism Center, further reinforcing its commitment to inclusive, patient-centered emergency care.
Together, these enhancements mark a pivotal moment for emergency care in Bergen County, one that expands capacity, improves outcomes, and recognizes that every minute matters in an emergency. For more information, visit Emergency Services
