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1928 Red Bank Hospital was founded in 1928 in a small, renovated boarding house
located on Union Street in Red Bank. It had 29 beds, one operating room, a
delivery suite and facilities for six newborns. During a two-week period in
November of that year, 40 patients were admitted to the hospital and expenses
for nursing salaries, groceries, gas and electric totaled less than $500.00.
1929 In 1929 the Board of Trustees sponsored a contest to change the
name of the hospital to one that better reflected the broader community it
served. Several names were suggested by board members: County Hospital, General
Community Hospital, Navesink General Hospital, Mount Mitchell Hospital and
Shrewsbury Hospital. A Mrs. Joseph Asay, the sister of Frank Leslie, an
electrician from Fair Haven, chose the name of Riverview Hospital and the Board
approved. She was awarded a silver cup for her efforts and that cup remained in
her family until her death, when it then came into the possession of Riverview.
1930s, 40s and 50s Throughout the 1930s, 40s and 50s, Riverview was
more often in a state of construction and expansion than not. Wings were built,
technology was acquired and beds were added, all of which were very generously
supported by community gifts. In what may have been the first Charity Ball – on
December 28, 1933 – $852.25 was raised. It was used to stucco the exterior of
the building. And from the very beginning there were auxiliaries. Red Cross Gray
Ladies (the predecessor of Riverview volunteers) were organized and the
Riverview Coffee and Gift Shop operated by the Red Bank Auxiliary was the talk
of the town.
It is noted that in 1957, a campaign was created to raise $1,170,000 to build
a new wing. Among the many contributions, 83 physicians pledged to the fund,
surpassing their goal of $150,000, the 26 member Board of Governors pledged
$90,295, and the hospital had already received advance gifts of $33,241. On top
of the set campaign goal, Riverview had also received $58,300 from the Ford
Foundation and $273,000 from a number of generous bequests.
1980s and 90s The 1980s were a time of rejuvenation for the Borough of
Red Bank. Property values were increasing 10 – 12% a year, and the potential
boom to the area’s economy resulted in many changes, including a parking garage
being built across from Riverview Medical Center. Within the medical center,
many changes were taking place as well. The Women & Children's Pavilion was
redesigned to create beautiful private maternity suites, many with a view of the
Navesink River. The Riverview Rehabilitation Center was established and became
Monmouth County’s only fully accredited comprehensive acute inpatient
rehabilitation facility. In addition, Riverview's Women's Diagnostic Center was
created to offer state-of-the-art mammography, stereotactic breast biopsy,
ultrasound and bone densitometry in one comfortable, easily accessible location.
The Booker Cancer Center began an affiliation with the renowned Fox Chase Cancer
Center in Philadelphia, which offers patients participation in over 80 ongoing
clinical investigational studies for the prevention and treatment of cancer.
1997 In January 1997, John Lloyd led the merger of three renowned area
hospitals - Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Ocean Medical Center (then
known as Medical Center of Ocean County), and Riverview Medical Center, to
create Meridian Health, central New Jersey’s premier health care organization.
2000 - Today With the new century came a $63 million expansion and
renovation project at Riverview Medical Center. Starting in 2001, the “New View
of Riverview” project became the largest and most comprehensive in the medical
center’s 73-year history, enhancing both its quality of care and its patient
care environment, as well as adding a variety of advanced medical technologies.
As part of the major building project, the Century House, built in 1868, which
was originally part of Riverview Medical Center, was relocated to Oakland Street
to preserve its historic value and is now part of the Red Bank Charter School.
The “New View of Riverview” was a magnificent transformation, made possible
by the support of the generous donors, staff, physicians, volunteers, and the
Borough of Red Bank. Completed in 2004, it boasted the new Riverview
Rehabilitation Center, with 30 patient beds, expansive therapy gym, and inviting
open-air atrium; the Booker Radiation Oncology Center, offering state-of-the-art
cancer treatment technology such as intensity modulated radiation therapy and a
CT Simulator; and a new Medical Day Stay Unit to conduct a variety of hi-tech
outpatient procedures. The project also created two new entrances: the J.
Marshall Booker Pavilion lobby, and the Blaisdell Pavilion lobby, with its
incredible view of the Navesink River.
Perhaps the largest and most complex phase of the project was the K.
Hovnanian Pavilion, including the outstanding Alton A Hovnanian Emergency Care
Center and Critical Care Center. This new facility vastly improved each
patient’s emergency room experience by providing more space, new emergency
certified physicians, physician assistants, and new technology.
In 2005, Riverview became home to the CyberKnife®, one of the most
revolutionary radio surgery treatments in the world, which offers new hope to
patients with inoperable tumors and lesions. As part of the Booker Cancer
Center, the CyberKnife has positioned Riverview Medical Center as a leader in
cancer care, services and resources in the region. With its proud history of
offering technology, resources and compassionate, quality care by individuals
who possess outstanding talent and expertise, Riverview Medical Center continues
to expand its services to meet the growing needs of the community.
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