Chief Hospital Executive discusses need for Behavioral Health services in our community and the new achievements taking place at the hospital

Pat Carroll, President, Raritan Bay Medical Center, Perth Amboy, NJ

Tell us a little about yourself and joining Raritan Bay?

I’ve been at Raritan Bay for a little over three months now. I came here from Palisades Medical Center, where I served as chief operating officer and most recently interim president, chief hospital executive since 2017. Prior to that, I had numerous executive healthcare roles at Saint Barnabas Medical Center in West Orange and Saint Peter’s Healthcare System in New Brunswick. Early in my career, I was a neonatal outreach educator from Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and came to Raritan Bay to help teach in the obstetrics area. I am proud and humbled to be back at Raritan Bay to help serve the community.

Why is there a need for Behavioral Health services in our community?

Behavioral Health services and support in our country are needed more than ever. The COVID-19 pandemic, societal unrest, and economic uncertainty has moved Behavioral Health to the forefront of the national healthcare conversation.

In New Jersey, 1,112,000 adults have a mental health condition, that’s more than 3 times the population of Newark. In February 2021, 42.2% of adults in New Jersey reported symptoms of anxiety or depression and almost 20% were unable to get counseling or therapy, according to the New Jersey State Fact Sheet.

It is more important than ever to build a stronger mental health system that provides the care, support and services needed to help people build better lives. Nearly 40,000 people in New Jersey live in a community that does not have enough mental health professionals. Our latest community needs assessment mirrors this trend, which is why I’m so pleased that we are addressing this important need.

How is Raritan Bay Medical Center addressing this need?

Hackensack Meridian Health has invested $35 million into creating a brand-new, state-of-the-art Behavioral Health unit on the campus at Raritan Bay Medical Center. Construction is currently underway which will feature a new, modern design that adds warmth and more natural light.

The expanded Raritan Bay Medical Center Behavioral Health unit will continue to to serve adults and collaborate and incorporate standards of excellence with the HMH Carrier Clinic. Two new dimensions of care will be added, including Geriatric Psychiatric care and Dual Diagnosis (psychiatry/addiction) services. The new Behavioral Health unit is scheduled to open in Summer 2023.

In addition, outpatient specialty care programs will be added that will allow for patients and the community to receive comprehensive behavioral health services within a seamless continuum of care.

I am committed to listening and working with the Perth Amboy community to ensure that these services meet the needs and concerns of residents. I have met with elected officials and community leaders in Perth Amboy, and will be launching a new community advisory board in 2023 to ensure that the community’s voice continues to be heard.

Will there be new jobs created for this?

Yes! We have created numerous new jobs. The majority of the recruitment will begin in early 2023. If you are interested, please visit our careers page on the website, https://jobs.hackensackmeridianhealth.org/

What else is new at Raritan Bay?

Hackensack Meridian Health’s first Long Term Acute Care Hospital (LTACH) recently opened. Our LTACH offers a variety of programs to accommodate those patients that need a longer stay in the hospital in an acute care setting.
Anything else you would like to tell us?
With more than 700 physicians and 1800 dedicated healthcare professionals, our team truly provides the highest-quality, patient-centered care. This team has served our patients during the pandemic and as I round and meet them, they impress me with their compassion and caring. Raritan Bay and Old Bridge recently achieved a Leap Frog “A” , a national recognition for patient safety. This is a testament to the entire team and their commitment to excellence. I am honored to join and be a part of this journey.

Any special awards or distinctions?

In addition to Leap Frog “A”, Raritan Bay and Old Bridge Medical Centers hold many national awards and distinctions:
■ Magnet® designation for nursing excellence
■ Beacon Award for Critical Care Excellence
■ American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Get with the
Guidelines Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award
■ Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval
■ AHA’s Heart Check Mark for Advanced Certification for Primary Stroke Centers
■ AHA’s Mission: Lifeline EMS Gold Plus Performance Achievement Award
■ Healthgrades Patient Safety Excellence Awards in gastrointestinal surgery, coronary
intervention, critical care, gastrointestinal care and gynecologic surgery
■ Healthgrades Women’s Excellence Award
■ Recipient of HEI LGBTQ Healthcare Equality Leader
■ Platinum recognition by Health Resources and Services Administration for their National Hospital Organ Donation Campaign