Hackensack Meridian Ocean University Medical Center Celebrates 40th Anniversary

Hackensack Meridian Ocean University Medical Center recently celebrated its 40th anniversary. With a focus on the communities of southern Monmouth and northern Ocean counties, OUMC – which opened in 1984 as Brick Hospital as part of the Northern Ocean Hospital System – started off with 120 beds and 200 physicians. Having grown to more than 300 beds and some 800 providers, it is now a regional destination for orthopedic, cardiovascular, cancer, stroke, and other care services. Known for its unparalleled nursing excellence as evidenced through its distinction as a Magnet® facility, OUMC is recognized for its top-tier patient care and holds numerous disease specific designations in joint replacement, stroke, colon cancer surgery and other areas.

“Excellence remains our standard, and patient-centered care is our priority,” said Robert C. Garrett, FACHE, chief executive officer, Hackensack Meridian Health. “Exceptional hospital leadership and the continued dedication of the Ocean University Medical Center team have led us to this proud moment and reaffirms our commitment to the responsibility we have as an organization to the communities we serve across the state.”

OUMC is also home to the Johnson Rehabilitation Institute, a 40-bed facility that offers inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation services – and the recently established Dr. Robert H. and Mary Ellen Harris Heart and Vascular Center.

“This milestone reminds us of the strong focus we have on our continued mission – providing high-quality, comprehensive care,” said Frank Citara, MBA, president and chief hospital executive, OUMC. “I am incredibly proud of our transformative work in the community and am confident our upward trajectory will yield even more innovative services in the years to come.”

Granted ‘University’ designation in 2021 and aligned with Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine and others in the state, OUMC also serves as a teaching hospital, training future and current medical professionals.

“In the short amount of time Ocean University Medical Center has held its ‘University’ designation, it has showcased its expertise as a major medical institution and positioned itself as a learning destination for residents and fellows,” said Kenneth N. Sable, M.D., MBA, FACEP, regional president, Southern Market, Hackensack Meridian Health. “To have a health care facility invested in training the next generation of physicians and advanced practice providers demonstrates a continued commitment to excellence which has contributed to the success being celebrated.”

OUMC has long supported its communities beyond traditional health care services, serving as a resource and host site for health and wellness education sessions, collection drives, and other. Continuing with that focus, OUMC is helping to meet the needs of those with food insecurity by serving as a collection point for non-perishable food items for Fulfill, a foodbank serving Monmouth and Ocean Counties. The community is asked to participate in this effort by dropping off items at the October 5 event.

“As Brick Township and our surrounding towns have grown rapidly over these past few decades, Ocean University Medical Center has always progressively served the needs of our region,” noted Brick Mayor Lisa Crate. “We are very fortunate to have the highly recognized OUMC as part of our neighborhood fabric.”

To further meet the diverse health care needs of the greater community, OUMC operates Ocean Care Center, a satellite 24/7 emergency care center in Point Pleasant that also provides outpatient services including laboratory, diagnostic and imaging. OUMC also offers a number of hospital-based programs at Jackson Health Village.

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