Hackensack Meridian Health Opens New Jersey's First Center Dedicated to Helping COVID-19 Patients After Recovery

EDISON, N.J., July 16, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Hackensack Meridian Health has opened New Jersey's first and only center dedicated to assisting COVID-19 patients after recovering from the infection. Hackensack Meridian Health's COVID Recovery Center will provide medical support to the hundreds of thousands of recovered COVID-19 patients in New Jersey and the surrounding tristate area as they continue on their path to health.

New Jersey has been one of the hardest hit states with the second highest number of COVID-19 patients in the nation. Hackensack Meridian Health has treated thousands of these patients, more than any other health system in New Jersey, and many COVID-19 patients continue to face lingering side effects requiring additional lung, heart and behavioral health care.

"Hackensack Meridian Health has been a leader in the fight against COVID-19, treating New Jersey's first COVID-19 patient and publishing research that is helping inform how COVID-19 patients are treated across the country," said Robert C. Garrett, FACHE, chief executive officer of Hackensack Meridian Health. "Our commitment to treating COVID-19 patients doesn't stop when people leave our hospitals. Our health care providers are here for these patients throughout their recovery and beyond."

Recovered COVID-19 patients who need additional medical care can call 833-565-0405 to receive a tele-screening by one of Hackensack Meridian Health's COVID Recovery Center physicians. Based on the screening results, the physician will create a customized care plan and connect the patient with specialists as needed.

"While our understanding of COVID-19 is evolving, it is clear many COVID-19 patients need additional care after they've become 'COVID-free,'" said James Clarke, M.D., senior vice president, Primary Care & Specialty Care. "From heart and lung complications to anxiety and other behavioral health side effects, our network of primary care physicians and specialists are available to help recovered COVID patients navigate their health care journey after COVID-19."

"As a physician on the frontlines, we are seeing the lasting effects COVID-19 has on patients following their recovery," said Laurie G. Jacobs, M.D., FACP, AGSF, chair of the Department of Internal Medicine at Hackensack University Medical Center. "By seeking support, these patients will not only receive the help they need, but also help the medical community learn more about the longer term side effects of COVID-19."

Hackensack Meridian Health physicians and physician practices across New Jersey are participating in Hackensack Meridian Health's COVID Recovery Center. If you are interested in learning more about the Recovery Center, please visit HackensackMeridianHealth.org/COVIDCenter or call 833-565-0405.

ABOUT HACKENSACK MERIDIAN HEALTH

Hackensack Meridian Health is a leading not-for-profit health care organization that is the largest, most comprehensive and truly integrated health care network in New Jersey, offering a complete range of medical services, innovative research and life-enhancing care.

Hackensack Meridian Health comprises 17 hospitals from Bergen to Ocean counties, which includes three academic medical centers ? Hackensack University Medical Center in Hackensack, Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, JFK Medical Center in Edison; two children's hospitals - Joseph M. Sanzari Children's Hospital in Hackensack, K. Hovnanian Children's Hospital in Neptune; nine community hospitals ? Bayshore Medical Center in Holmdel, Mountainside Medical Center in Montclair, Ocean Medical Center in Brick, Palisades Medical Center in North Bergen, Pascack Valley Medical Center in Westwood, Raritan Bay Medical Center in Old Bridge, Raritan Bay Medical Center in Perth Amboy, Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank, and Southern Ocean Medical Center in Manahawkin; a behavioral health hospital ? Carrier Clinic in Belle Mead; and two rehabilitation hospitals - JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute in Edison and Shore Rehabilitation Institute in Brick.

Additionally, the network has more than 500 patient care locations throughout the state which include ambulatory care centers, surgery centers, home health services, long-term care and assisted living communities, ambulance services, lifesaving air medical transportation, fitness and wellness centers, rehabilitation centers, urgent care centers and physician practice locations. Hackensack Meridian Health has more than 34,100 team members, and 6,500 physicians and is a distinguished leader in health care philanthropy, committed to the health and well-being of the communities it serves.

The network's notable distinctions include having four hospitals among the top 10 in New Jersey by U.S. News and World Report. Other honors include consistently achieving Magnet® recognition for nursing excellence from the American Nurses Credentialing Center and being named to Becker's Healthcare's "150 Top Places to Work in Healthcare/2018" list.

The Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine at Seton Hall University, the first private medical school in New Jersey in more than 50 years, welcomed its first class of students in 2018 to its On3 campus in Nutley and Clifton. Additionally, the network partnered with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center to find more cures for cancer faster while ensuring that patients have access to the highest quality, most individualized cancer care when and where they need it.

Hackensack Meridian Health is a member of AllSpire Health Partners, an interstate consortium of leading health systems, to focus on the sharing of best practices in clinical care and achieving efficiencies.

For additional information, please visit www.HackensackMeridianHealth.org.

SOURCE Hackensack Meridian Health