Notice of Public Hearing

Posted on May 11, 2012 by The Public Relations Department

Assistant Attorney General Susan K. Fischer, on behalf of the Attorney General and Acting Deputy Commissioner William Conroy, on behalf of the Commissioner of Health and Senior Services will conduct a joint Public Hearing on the proposed acquisition of Christ Hospital
by Hudson Hospital Opco, LLC and Hudson Hospital Propco, LLC  in accordance with the Community Health Care Assets Protection Act (“CHAPA”), N.J.S.A. 26:2H-7.10, et seq.

The Public Hearing will be held on:
May 24, 2012
Culinary Conference Center at
Hudson County Community College
Scott Ring Room, 2nd Floor
161 Newkirk Street at Sip Avenue
Jersey City, New Jersey 07306
Phone: 201.360.5300
6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
(or close of testimony, whichever is later)

Members of the public are invited to file written comments and exhibits or appear at the hearing and speak.  Members of the public wanting to submit written comments or other materials may provide them to representatives of the Department of Law and Public Safety or the Department of Health and Senior Services at the hearing, or may send them anytime before the time of the hearing or until the close of the record on May 31, 2012 by mail or electronic mail to:

Dept. of Law & Public Safety Division of Law
P.O. Box 106
Trenton, NJ 08625-0106
Attention:  DAG Jay A. Ganzman
CHAPA@lps.state.nj.us

Department of Health and Senior Services
Office of Legal and Regulatory Compliance
P.O. Box 360
Trenton, NJ 08625-0360
Attention:  Devon Graf, Director, Office of Legal and Regulatory Compliance

For more information, please contact Jay A. Ganzman, Deputy Attorney General at (609) 292-8564

Parking Available — Wheelchair Accessible

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Public Hearing Notice for the Certificate of Need Application

Posted on May 11, 2012 by The Public Relations Department

The State Health Planning Board (the Board) will be holding a public hearing concerning the certificate of need application submitted to the Department of Health and Senior Services for the Transfer of Ownership of Christ Hospital located in Jersey City, New Jersey. Copies of the application are available for review at the Jersey City Public Library, the New Jersey State Library, and at the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services.

The Board invites the public to comment on the application. All those wishing to make oral comments to the Board are invited to attend the public hearing on this application on Wednesday, May 23, 2012. Comments will be limited to three minutes per person, although written comments may also be submitted at the same time. The Board will take comments from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The hearing will be held at the Culinary Institute of Hudson Community College, 161 Newkirk St., Jersey City, NJ 07306.

Comments may also be submitted in writing after the hearing. People wishing to submit comments are urged to make their comments concise. Comments must be received by the State Health Planning Board no later than Friday, May 30, 2012 at the following address:

New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services
Office of Legal and Regulatory Compliance
Market & Warren Streets
P.O. Box 360
Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0360

The Board intends to review the application at an upcoming meeting. Notice will be published as to the meeting date during which the application will be reviewed.
For further information, you may call the Department at 609.292.7874.

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Christ Hospital Physician Performs the First Cryoablation Therapy Procedure in Hudson County

Posted on May 7, 2012 by The Public Relations Department

Interventional Radiologist, Dr. Stuart Miller, in the CT Suite of Christ Hospital with the Endocare™ Cryoblation Therapy device.

The minimally invasive Endocare™ Cryoablation Therapy procedure uses extremely cold temperatures to destroy cancerous tissue or relieve areas of pain.

Christ Hospital is excited to announce that Interventional Radiologist, Dr. Stuart Miller, performed the first Endocare™ Cryoablation Therapy in Hudson County earlier this week. This procedure uses advanced argon gas technology and ice to destroy cancerous tissues or relieve pain in a patient — without the need for major surgery.

Dramatic advancements in medical technology now make it possible to perform many diagnostic and therapeutic procedures using minimally-invasive techniques. Minimally-invasive procedures allow physicians access to the internal organs without the customary large incision. Cryoablation therapy is a minimally-invasive procedure used to treat tumors and other lesions of the prostate, kidney, liver, and other organs. The procedure is used in patients with small renal tumors whose cancer has not spread to distant sites. Cryoablation therapy is also an option when maximum preservation of renal function is especially important, for example in patients with a solitary kidney or whose renal function is compromised.

Utilization of cryoablation therapy for the treatment of small tumors has increased dramatically in recent years. This is because interventional radiologists can perform procedures with greater precision. The technique utilizes an innovative imaging system with the combination of smaller probes which offer greater control of the process to preserve healthy cells.

Dr. Miller performs this procedure in the CT imaging suite of Christ Hospital. Depending on the patient’s individual needs, they are placed under either general or local anesthesia for the procedure.

The procedure involves the insertion of a long, thin probe directly into the treatment area.  Argon gas is delivered through the probe and an “ice ball” is created.  Cancerous cells and those just around the outside of the tumor are destroyed by several freeze and thaw cycles.

Cryoablation therapy allows us to offer patients an alternative to avoid major surgery. For most patients, they are able to go home the next day, report minimal pain, and experience fewer complications,” states Dr. Miller.

For more information about the cryoablation therapy, please contact Christ Hospital at 201.795.8363.

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Dr. Antonios J. Tsompanidis is Recognized as a Fellow by the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians

Posted on May 2, 2012 by The Public Relations Department

Antonios J. Tsompanidis, DO, FACOFP, Program Director and the Director of Medical Education for the Family Medicine Residency Program at Christ Hospital in Jersey City, received his designation as a Fellow of the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians (ACOFP).  Dr. Tsompanidis received this distinguished designation during theAnnual Conclave of Fellows Award Ceremony on Saturday, March 17, 2012 at the ACOFP 49th Annual Convention & Scientific Seminar in Kissimmee, Florida.

The honorary designation of Fellow is bestowed upon those candidates who have contributed outstanding national and local service through teaching, authorship, research, or professional leadership. It also recognizes those individuals who contributed outstanding service in their professional career and family practice duties in their community and civic activities.

Dr. Tsompanidis, DO, FACOFP attended Rutgers University where he completed his undergraduate degree (1990), and earned his Doctor of Osteopathy at the UMDNJ-SOM (1994). He completed his residency (1994-97) and chief residency year at UMDNJ-SOM. Dr. Tsompanidis has been an exemplary osteopathic family physician and is Board Certified in Family Practice and OMT. Dr. Tsompanidis is also President of the New Jersey Chapter of the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians (2009 to present) as well as the past President of the New Jersey Association of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons (2011-2012).

Dr. Tsompanidis has received multiple awards and honors, including; achieving the rank of Eagle Scout from the Boy Scouts of America (1982); the Student DO of the Year (1994); the Gartzman Memorial Award for dedication to Family Practice and for professional and personal excellence (1997); and several service awards from the New Jersey Association of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons. He was inducted into the American Osteopathic Association’s Mentor Hall of Fame in 2006, and his most recent accolade was in April 2011 from the UMDNJ-SOM for outstanding excellence in teaching and commitment to the osteopathic profession.

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Christ Hospital Begins the Sale Process to Hudson Hospital Holdco, LLC

Posted on April 25, 2012 by The Public Relations Department

On March 27, 2012, The Honorable Morris Stern, Judge for the United States Bankruptcy Court in Newark, New Jersey, approved the sale of Christ Hospital to Hudson Hospital Holdco, LLC. Hudson Hospital Holdco currently owns two hospitals in Hudson County, Bayonne Medical Center and Hoboken University Medical Center.

While both the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services and the New Jersey Attorney General must give final approvals of this sale prior to the transfer of the operating license, the transfer of ownership will signal a new era of financial stability for Christ Hospital. According to Peter A. Kelly, President and CEO of Christ Hospital, “The decision by Judge Stern for Hudson Hospital Holdco to move forward with the purchase of Christ Hospital will allow our institution to continue to fulfill its mission of providing accessible and quality healthcare services to the citizens of Jersey City and Hudson County.”

It is anticipated that the required approvals from the State will be received on or about June 30, 2012, after which time Christ Hospital will provide an overview of future plans and initiatives.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank our physicians, employees, and patients, who have supported Christ Hospital during this difficult process.” Mr. Kelly added.

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Christ Hospital Celebrates National Donate Life Month with the NJ Sharing Network

Posted on April 3, 2012 by The Public Relations Department

Christ Hospital, in partnership with the NJ Sharing Network, will celebrate National Donate Life Month on Friday, April 20th.

National Donate Life Month, celebrated each April, was instituted by Donate Life America and its members in 2003 and serves to encourage more Americans to choose to become organ donors. According to Donate Life, there are more than 100,000 people in the U.S. awaiting a life-saving transplant, including more than 4,000 people in the state of New Jersey. Currently, a little over 23% of the licensed drivers in Hudson County have registered to be organ and tissue donors. This year’s national goal is to register 20 million people as organ and tissue donors.

We are asking members of our community to show their support for Donate Life Month by wearing blue and green on April 20th. Visitors and friends of Christ Hospital are invited to stop by our information booth, located in the hospital lobby, from 10 am to 3 pm on April 20th to receive free give-a-ways and information about how to become an organ and tissue donor.

For more information about the NJ Sharing Network and how you can become an organ and tissue donor, please visit their website at www.njsharingnetwork.org.

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Christ Hospital Board of Trustees Votes Unanimously to Recommend Hudson Hospital Holdco as Buyer of Christ Hospital

Posted on March 22, 2012 by The Public Relations Department

On Thursday, March 22nd at 5:30pm the Christ Hospital Board of Trustees voted unanimously to endorse Hudson Hospital Holdco, Inc.’s bid to purchase Christ Hospital. After thoughtful consideration and review of both proposals, it was decided that Hudson Hospital Holdco’s bid would best ensure Christ Hospital’s mission to continue providing quality patient care as a full-service acute care hospital. Both financial and non-financial considerations were reviewed by the board in coming to this decision. The final decision will be made by the US Bankruptcy Court in a hearing held on Friday, March 23rd.

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The Announcement that a Decision has been made in the Auction of Christ Hospital is Misleading and Inaccurate

Posted on March 21, 2012 by The Public Relations Department

Several media sources have reported that Community Healthcare Associates (CHA), a for- profit medical properties developer, one of two bidders in the court ordered auction of the bankrupt Christ Hospital had won the bid to purchase the hospital. These reports are both inaccurate and misleading. The other bidder is Hudson Hospital Holdco Inc., the for- profit owner and operator of both Bayonne Medical Center and Hoboken University Hospital. While it is correct that CHA bid $40 million for the hospital, it is but one component of the overall consideration to determine the winning bid.

The next step in that process is for the Christ Hospital Board of Trustees to meet and
review the two proposals. The Board of Trustees will carefully consider all aspects of the
proposals, both financial and operational, from Community Healthcare Associates and
Hudson Hospital Holdco Inc. In addition to sustaining financial viability, a key
consideration will be the maintenance of Christ Hospital as a full service hospital providing
vital medical services to the Jersey City and Hudson County communities. The Board of
Trustees’ final recommendation will be presented to the court on Friday, March 23, 2012.

The final ruling on the recommendation will be made by the bankruptcy court.

“The Christ Hospital Board of Trustees takes seriously its fiduciary responsibility to the creditors and the community to select the best successor to continue its 140 year-old history of providing vital and quality medical care. We regret that a misleading, inaccurate, and premature press report has given the impression that a decision has already been made prior to the completion of the bankruptcy process.” states Peter Kelly, President and CEO of Christ Hospital.

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Christ Hospital Remains Committed to the Residents of Hudson County

Posted on February 6, 2012 by The Public Relations Department

In order to maintain financial stability and to preserve its commitment to its patients, Christ Hospital has filed for Chapter 11 reorganization. This reorganization process will ensure that Christ Hospital will continue to serve the Hudson County community as an acute care facility.

“We will continue to provide state-of-the-art healthcare through our wide-range of medical services,” stated Peter A. Kelly, President and CEO.

Services provided by Christ Hospital include Inpatient and Outpatient Procedures; Behavioral Health; Cardiac; Emergency Services; Obstetrics and Maternity; Oncology; Pediatrics and Maternity; Radiology; Sleep Center; Surgical; and Vascular Laboratory services.

“Christ Hospital has been a central part of Hudson County for nearly 140 years and the residents of Hudson County should know that Christ Hospital will continue to fulfill its mission as a community healthcare provider.” Mr. Kelly stated.

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Board of Trustees of Christ Hospital unanimously approved Authorizing the Filing Chapter 11 Reorganization — if necessary

Posted on February 6, 2012 by The Public Relations Department

As a result of Prime Healthcare’s withdrawal from the purchase asset agreement with Christ Hospital, a full hospital board meeting took place on Wednesday, February 1st.

 At this meeting the Board of Trustees of Christ Hospital unanimously approved authorizing the filing Chapter 11 reorganization — if necessary — in order to maintain financial stability and to preserve its commitment to its patients.

 A reorganization would ensure that Christ Hospital continues to serve the community as an acute care facility here in Hudson County.

 The people of Hudson County should know Christ Hospital will continue to fulfill its mission as a community healthcare provider. Christ Hospital has been a central part of Hudson County for nearly 140 years. Although the hospital faces significant financial challenges moving forward, its doors remain open to care for its patients.

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