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Photo Caption: HRH, Bayonne officials cut the ribbon at the grand opening of the Bayonne University Hospital lobby; new Bayonne University Hospital lobby
Hudson Regional Health (HRH), Bayonne elected officials, and community members marked a major milestone at Bayonne University Hospital (BUH) with a grand opening of its brand new, state-of-the-art lobby. The ribbon cutting ceremony highlighted the newly constructed lobby’s modern open floor plan and upgraded waiting area for patients, space for a community pharmacy, Starbucks Coffee, a redesigned front desk to greet visitors, and a new entrance area. The complete renovation of the lobby is one of the first projects in HRH’s multi-million-dollar infrastructure upgrades – completed, under construction, or planned – to improve the quality of care and overall patient experience at BUH.
HRH also showcased additional, transformational upgrades at the hospital including newly renovated patient rooms and nurses’ stations that were recently completed. Patient rooms have been redesigned from tight, shared spaces into modern, state-of-the-art environments that prioritize comfort, while nurses’ stations were upgraded to improve accessibility and efficiency for patient care.
Other comprehensive upgrades currently planned or under construction were highlighted, including upgrades to its sleep lab, the addition of three operating rooms, renovations to the hospital’s physical therapy spaces, the remodeling of the cardiac catheterization lab, new physician offices and lounges, and facility upgrades to accommodate 15 additional behavioral health beds. Additionally, HRH announced planned renovations of BUH’s Emergency Department, which will expand and enhance emergency care for the community.
At the ceremony, HRH presented a plaque to Hudson County Sheriff Jimmy Davis for his pivotal role as Mayor of Bayonne in rescuing Bayonne University Hospital in 2024 and ensuring it remained an acute care facility. The plaque will be displayed permanently in BUH’s lobby.
“Bayonne University Hospital is, first and foremost, Bayonne’s community hospital – a trusted place where residents can access high-quality, compassionate care,” said HRH Chairman of the Board Yan Moshe. “While these significant investments in upgrades are critical, they represent only part of the story. Equally important is HRH’s ongoing dedication to strengthening the hospital and ensuring it continues to grow as a leading healthcare destination in the tri-state region.”
“This is truly a proud moment for Hudson Regional Health,” said HRH CEO and President Dr. Nizar Kifaieh. “Bayonne University Hospital is more than just a healthcare facility – it is a vital community resource that Bayonne families depend on for exceptional care. The lobby enhancements are just the beginning of our continued commitment to advancing the hospital and supporting the community it serves. We are thankful to Sheriff Jimmy Davis and Bayonne’s elected officials for their role in making this milestone possible.”
“After years of advocacy, I am extremely proud that Bayonne’s hospital has not only turned the corner in patient care, but has become a thriving and essential resource providing the highest quality care to our community,” said Hudson County Sheriff Jimmy Davis. “As mayor, saving our hospital was one of my top priorities, and I am grateful that it is now in good hands under the leadership of Hudson Regional Health. The renovated lobby, updated patient rooms, and planned infrastructure upgrades are proof of their commitment to improving patient care and I offer my congratulations to HRH and all stakeholders for today’s milestone.”
“Having a modern, well-quipped hospital is essential to the overall health and resilience of our City, and that is exactly what is taking place at Bayonne University Hospital,” said Mayor Red Kubert. “Thanks to Hudson Regional Health, the upgrades at our local hospital are prioritizing our residents’ safety and well-being, and demonstrate their continued commitment to our community. The new lobby is a welcoming sign that Bayonne University Hospital is open for the highest quality healthcare for Bayonne and beyond, and I commend HRH leadership for making these multi-million dollar infrastructure improvements a reality.”
“Today is a great day for healthcare in Bayonne! I am truly pleased to see such a substantial transformation of our hospital lobby, along with the many upgrades at our community hospital,” said State Senator Angela McKnight. “These improvements reflect a strong commitment to patient care and to the residents we serve. This progress underscores the importance of sustained investment in local healthcare infrastructure, and I look forward to continuing to work closely with HRH and our hospital leadership to help secure critical state resources in the years ahead.”
“The new lobby we unveiled today represents far more than a typical construction project,” said Assemblyman Will Sampson. “It reflects HRH’s steadfast commitment to my constituents in Bayonne, who rightfully deserve high-quality care at their community hospital. It is encouraging to see firsthand the modernization of our hospital’s critical infrastructure, which will play a vital role in enhancing the patient experience across a wide range of healthcare services. This is exactly the kind of progress our residents deserve – accessible, expert care delivered in a state-of-the-art setting.”
“Today marks an important milestone for healthcare in Bayonne, and I am encouraged by the progress taking shape at our community hospital,” said Assemblyman Jerry Walker. “Enhancements such as the renovated lobby, along with planned improvements to critical areas like the Emergency Department, not only modernize the facility but also strengthen trust within Bayonne and expand access to quality healthcare for residents across the entire 31st Legislative District in Hudson County. This is meaningful progress for our regional healthcare system, and I commend HRH leadership on today’s ceremony.”
“Before HRH acquired Bayonne Hospital, our community faced the real prospect of losing its only hospital,” said Diane Sondy, Bayonne and Hudson County’s 2024 Senior of the Year. “The facility was financially unstable and unable to provide essential services to residents. Since the acquisition, HRH’s strategic investments and operational reforms have delivered a remarkable turnaround, converting a once struggling facility into a model community hospital.”
HRH patient liaisons will provide tours of the facility upgrades to Bayonne community groups over the next two weeks. To receive a tour, email marketing@hudsonregionalhospital.com.
Bayonne University Hospital’s continued, historic turnaround
BUH’s historic turnaround has continued since HRH assumed operations of the hospital in November, 2024. After stepping in to stabilize the hospital, which was on the brink of closure following the prior owner’s bankruptcy, HRH has driven significant improvements across the board. Over the past 17 months, BUH has achieved dramatic increases in patient experience scores, patients giving the hospital top ratings, reduced wait times for the Emergency Department, hundreds of new credentialed physicians, and reductions in patient length of stays.
Increase in overall patient experience: 62% increase of inpatients rating Bayonne a 9 or 10 for care (Q1 2026 vs. Q2 2025), to a current total of 60% of inpatients rating Bayonne a 9 or a 10.
Emergency Department experience: 94% increase in Emergency Department Net Promotor Score (Q1 2026 vs. Q2 and Q3, 2025), measuring how likely patients to recommend the Emergency Department to others.
Reduction in Emergency Department length of stay and waiting time: 15% decrease in Emergency Department length of stay for admitted patients (Q1 2026 vs. 2025) and 18% decrease in wait times for admitted patient to be provided a bed (Q1 2026 vs. 2025).
Increase in procedural services: Projected 250% increase of volume in 2026 (utilizing Q1, 2026) for services including Operating Room procedures, Same Day Surgery, Endoscopy compared to 2024.
Decrease in patient length of stay: 12.5% decrease in medical-surgical length of stay (Q1 2026 vs. Q2, 2025), demonstrating increased efficiency and levels of care to discharge patients.
New credentialed physicians: 325 physicians in 2025, and 149 through April, 2026.
Additionally, BUH reported zero hospital-acquired infections in 2024 and 2025, and is one of the only acute-care facilities in the state to achieve this key benchmark. The growth and improvement in patient experience, procedural services and other key benchmarks reflect substantial, increased levels of trust in the system from BUH patients and higher levels of quality care.
