UNION, N.J. — Atlantic Health Overlook Medical Center has completed a major renovation of its emergency department at the hospital’s Union Campus, marking the first significant upgrade to the facility since Atlantic Health took over operations in 2007.
Hospital executives, alongside local, county and state officials, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the milestone and highlight the emergency department’s nearly two decades of service to Union and surrounding communities.
“The Emergency Department at our Union Campus stands as a shining example of successful community-based health care,” said Stephanie Schwartz, senior vice president of Atlantic Health System and president of Overlook Medical Center. “For almost two decades our commitment to keeping emergency care within Union Township has led to better health for the surrounding communities. We are proud to be the place that people know they can turn to when they need care.”
The Union Emergency Department, once part of the former Union Hospital, was set to permanently close in 2007. Atlantic Health stepped in to preserve the services as a satellite emergency department — an approach then rare in New Jersey — ensuring continued access to urgent care for the community.
Today, the ED handles approximately 36,000 visits annually, or about 96 patients per day. It serves Union and nearby towns, including some of New Jersey’s most vulnerable populations in Elizabeth, Newark and Irvington. The department includes on-site laboratory and imaging services, telestroke capabilities, and is staffed by board-certified emergency physicians, registered nurses, a pharmacist and a respiratory therapist.
In 2023, the department became the only emergency department internationally to receive the Emergency Nurses Association’s Lantern Award in five consecutive award cycles.
“The care at the Union emergency department consistently receives high marks from our patients, and that is a remarkable reflection of the commitment Atlantic Health has made to quality,” said Rajiv Prasad, MD, chair of emergency medicine at Overlook Medical Center.
“Our teams consistently strive to elevate the experience we provide to patients and are proud to continue this tradition of excellence within the community,” added Heather Veltre, DNP, chief nursing officer at Overlook.
The $6.4 million renovation, which began in June 2024, transformed more than 10,000 square feet — about 80 percent of the department. Updates include three additional treatment spaces, increasing capacity from 20 to 23 beds, as well as enhanced support areas to better manage rising patient volumes.
Other improvements include:
- Privacy partitions between treatment bays
- A redesigned nurse station with expanded medication room and increased visibility
- A new lobby with an assessment and triage area
- An expanded on-site laboratory with additional space and equipment
- A fully upgraded Philips patient monitoring system
- New alcoves for nourishment, equipment and refreshments
- Negative exhaust capabilities for airborne illness management
- Updated finishes throughout the department
Atlantic Health worked with Buckl Architects, MPE Consulting & Design LLC and Holt Construction to complete the project.
