Hackensack Meridian expands Carrier Clinic brand

In January 2019, Hackensack Meridian Health finalized a merger with Carrier Clinic that included a multimillion-dollar investment in its facilities. Now, the health care provider is expanding the brand to Raritan Bay Medical Center, becoming Carrier Behavioral Health. 

“The new Carrier Behavioral Health partnership with Raritan Bay Medical Center will advance our network’s commitment to delivering accessible, compassionate quality care for our patients,” Hackensack Meridian CEO Robert Garrett said in a statement. “Carrier Clinic has ranked among the top psychiatric and rehab recovery centers in New Jersey and its integration with Raritan Bay will strengthen the delivery of award-winning behavioral health care services close to home.” 

As part of Hackensack Meridian’s $35 million investment, the new Carrier Behavioral Health at Raritan Bay Medical Center in Perth Amboy will expand from 24 beds to 81. The center will be fully open to patients this summer, according to the health care provider. 

“We are excited to join forces with Carrier Clinic,” said Patricia Carroll, president and chief hospital executive at Raritan Bay Medical Center. “Carrier Clinic is a leader in Behavioral Health, and with our expansion currently underway, we are certain this will be an excellent partnership.” 

Founded in 1910 in Somerset County, Carrier Clinic offers comprehensive behavioral and addiction treatment services to youths to older adults, according to its webpage. It includes a psychiatric hospital; the Blake Recovery Center, a 40-bed inpatient and outpatient detox and recovery facility; and an accredited school for seventh through 12th-grade students.  

Don Parker, president of behavioral health care transformation service at Hackensack Meridian, added that the combination will be “an incredible partnership for the needs of our patients.”

The partnership follows another milestone for Hackensack Meridian, which announced Feb. 22 that its medical school is now fully accredited.