RWJBarnabas to Acquire Trinitas Regional Medical Center

On Oct 10, 2019

A letter of intent is signed for Elizabeth-based Trinitas Regional Medical Center to become part of RWJBarnabas Health (RWJBH). Under the terms of the proposed transaction, Trinitas will remain a Catholic institution and will abide by the Catholic ethical and religious directives.

The letter of intent is the first step in the process of evaluating and designing a new relationship that will enhance healthcare services for residents in northern and central New Jersey. Both healthcare systems will now engage in a due diligence process to define the specifics of the relationship. Approvals will be necessary from state and federal officials, the Catholic Church and others before the transaction is considered complete.

Barry H. Ostrowsky, President and Chief Executive Officer of RWJBarnabas Health, stated, “The rapidly changing health care landscape presents new challenges and opportunities. Trinitas is a vital resource to the eastern Union County community, and through this agreement we would greatly expand our reach into new communities with our mission of improving the health and well-being of its residents. We are excited about the many possibilities for collaboration signaled by this Letter of Intent.”

According to Gary S. Horan, FACHE, President and Chief Executive Officer of Trinitas, “I see our eventual move into the RWJBarnabas Health system as an extremely positive and exciting development for our institution – one that will give us the resources and opportunities to greatly enhance the already high level of care we provide to our community.”

RWJBarnabas Health is a comprehensive academic healthcare system with a service area of nine counties covering five million people. The system includes 11 acute care hospitals, three acute care children’s hospitals, and a renowned pediatric rehabilitation hospital, among many other facilities. RWJBH has a partnership with Rutgers University, creating New Jersey’s largest academic health care system.

Trinitas Regional Medical Center is a 554-bed, Catholic, acute care teaching hospital located in Elizabeth. It provides more than 400,000 patient contacts per year and renders care throughout the State of New Jersey. Trinitas is the result of a merger in the year 2000 between Elizabeth General Medical Center and St. Elizabeth Hospital.

Under the terms of the LOI, the role of Trinitas as a full service provider of acute healthcare services for the eastern Union County community will be enhanced. RWJBH is expected to make significant investments in Trinitas and will expand the network of outpatient services currently provided by Trinitas, resulting in an even higher level of care for the community.

The Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth will continue to serve as the Catholic sponsor of Trinitas, and the Elizabethtown Healthcare Foundation will continue to address the needs of non-profit organizations in Union County, including RWJBH/Trinitas. The Trinitas Board will continue to oversee day-to-day operations of Trinitas.

The LOI states, in part: “The parties have been in discussions for some time and share a common perspective and culture regarding providing high quality, cost-effective services to their communities consistent with their respective missions and the need to move in the direction of population health management.”

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