Morristown Medical Center Expands Emergency Department, Adds 42 New Treatment Areas

Final phase of multi-year project increases ED capacity to 120 treatment areas amid rising patient demand and supports broader modernization across hospital campus.

Morristown Medical Center, part of Atlantic Health System, has completed the final phase of its Sameth Emergency Department (ED) expansion and modernization project, significantly increasing the facility's capacity and capabilities to meet rising patient demand.

The newly renovated ED now features 42 additional treatment spaces, bringing the total from 78 to 120. The expansion includes twelve new patient rooms, twelve low-acuity bays, two new nursing and physician stations, an electrocardiogram (EKG) room, and three private triage rooms in the ED waiting area.

Initiated in early 2022, the project was driven by sustained growth in patient volume—over 110,000 patients were treated in the ED in 2024 alone, making it one of the busiest emergency departments in both New Jersey and the nation. Throughout the expansion, the ED remained fully operational, continuing to provide uninterrupted care.

Beyond increasing treatment capacity, the project incorporated enhancements in triage, behavioral health, and pediatric emergency services, along with new medical technologies. According to Morristown Medical Center President Trish O’Keefe, PhD, RN, the goal was to improve both patient experience and operational efficiency, stating, “We approached this project with the goal to improve the experience of our patients and their loved ones, while creating a space that meets the needs of our community and our team members.”

This marks the final development within the current footprint of the hospital, pending approval of a broader expansion plan. Future proposed developments include a new patient care pavilion, a medical specialty building, additional floors to Goryeb Children’s Hospital, and expanded parking infrastructure.

In a parallel effort to optimize existing space, the hospital also opened a 24-bed neurovascular inpatient unit in the main building. Designed for medical, intermediate, and acute care patients, the unit features private rooms, family accommodations, and advanced monitoring technology. This project required relocation of existing departments and extensive pre-planning.

Additionally, Atlantic Health System has expanded specialized services across Madison Avenue, adjacent to the hospital campus. These include:

• Atlantic Health Urgent Care (111 Madison Avenue) – providing walk-in care for mild to urgent health issues, including x-rays and diagnostic testing.

• Atlantic Vascular (65 Madison Avenue) – offering comprehensive circulatory disorder treatment and diagnostics.

• Hersh Fetal Center (55 Madison Avenue) – specializing in care for high-risk pregnancies.

Morristown Medical Center is one of eight hospitals under Atlantic Health System, a non-profit healthcare network that serves over half of New Jersey’s population. The system includes more than 550 care sites and a physician network of over 1,700 providers.