South Jersey Healthcare and Underwood-Memorial Hospital select Inspira Health Network as new name

VINELAND, NJ (March 22) — South Jersey Healthcare and Underwood-Memorial Hospital announced yesterday that the name of their newly-merged organization will be Inspira (pronounced /in-speer-rah/) Health Network. The transition to the new name, which was recently approved by the system’s boards, will begin with a formal brand launch and awareness campaign set to start in late April.

A great deal of research and discussion led to the decision to select a new name. The system conducted consumer perception studies in the communities it serves, which revealed that adopting a new name would present a unique marketing opportunity. Research revealed that members of the community had an overwhelmingly positive response to the name “Inspira.” Consumers felt that the name was very personal and warm. They indicated that the name was inspirational, forward-thinking, caring and compassionate.

“Inspira is taken from the word ‘inspiration’ and we felt strongly that this name embodies the vision of our new network,” said Chet Kaletkowski, President and CEO of SJH and UMH. “It’s our mission to improve the lives of all that we serve and we believe this new identity supports our commitment to providing high quality care and expanding our services across the region to meet the health needs of our communities.”

The mission and vision of the newly-merged organization is outlined in a recently developed strategic plan to span the next five years. The strategic plan outlines several growth opportunities to benefit the communities it serves. In addition to enhancing key service lines, the Inspira Health Network plans to:

• develop outpatient care sites in an expanded service area;
• build stronger relationships with government agencies with respect to public funding initiatives and public policy affecting health care services in our region;
• give patients access to an expanded local network of providers offering high quality care in a cost effective manner; and
• provide more seamless, efficient and effective care over a broader region through the development of combined quality and safety efforts, financial performance and staff development.

About South Jersey Healthcare
South Jersey Healthcare is a charitable nonprofit health care organization that has served the citizens of southern New Jersey for more than 18 years, but traces its roots to 1898 when the original Bridgeton Hospital was founded. As it has grown during the last two decades, SJH has become one of the region’s premier health care systems with more than 3,500 employees and a Medical Staff of more than 600 physicians. It includes the SJH Regional Medical Center, a 262-bed facility in Vineland; SJH Elmer Hospital, a 96-bed hospital in Elmer; the SJH Bridgeton Health Center that houses 65 mental health and inpatient hospice beds as well as several outpatient services; and numerous outpatient sites throughout Cumberland, Salem, Gloucester and Atlantic counties.

SJH has a strong history of growth and in the last 20 years consolidated four community hospitals in Cumberland and Salem counties into a strong health system. The system is committed to providing exceptional care, introducing the latest technologies and expanding our facilities to meet the needs of our communities. By focusing on growth and clinical and service excellence, SJHS has positioned itself as one of the most financially strong health systems in the state.

Its recent expansions include a comprehensive cancer center and neonatal intensive care unit at the Regional Medical Center in Vineland, a newly renovated ER at Elmer Hospital, and SJHS Tomlin Station Park, an outpatient center in Mullica Hill. SJHS is also now a teaching institution that recently welcomed medical residents in seven disciplines, with several other programs opening in the near future.

About Underwood-Memorial Hospital
Underwood-Memorial Hospital is a 305-bed, not-for-profit acute care hospital located in Woodbury, NJ. UMHS was incorporated in 1966, following the merger of independent facilities–Underwood Hospital, founded in 1915, and Memorial Hospital, founded in 1919.

The hospital’s size and services have steadily and purposefully expanded to establish UMHS as the healthcare market leader to more than 250,000 Gloucester County residents. With nearly 1,700 full- and part-time employees and a medical staff of more than 450, Underwood serves the community’s spectrum of healthcare needs—primary care, emergent, and specialty services. 

The Family Health Centers are conveniently located in Glassboro, Mullica Hill, Paulsboro, and Mullica Hill.  Two years ago, the hospital launched the Women’s Health Center in Mullica Hill and completed a major expansion to the Emergency Department, which cared for close to 60,000 patients in 2011. For over 20 years, the UMHS Mobile Intensive Care Units have provided advanced life support to the residents of Gloucester, Cumberland, and Salem counties.

In 2009, Underwood’s cardiac catheterization lab and cardiologists were approved to be one of the region’s only sources of percutaneous coronary intervention, the accelerated treatment for heart attack patients. In 2010, the NJ Department of Health and Senior Services designated Underwood as a primary stroke center.