Listen to this article

Overlook Medical Center, part of Atlantic Health, unveiled its $6.4 million renovated emergency department at the hospital’s Union campus Nov. 14. 

Local, county and state officials joined Atlantic Health leaders for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the completion of the project. The work broke ground in June 2024. 

Upgrades to more than 10,000 square feet at the emergency department include: 

• Three additional treatment spaces, bringing the facility to 23 beds 
• Improved support space 
• Privacy partitions added between bays 
• Main nurses’ station redesigned to include a larger central medication room along with greater visibility of the open holding bays 
• Redesigned lobby with an assessment and triage area 
• Expansion of the on-site lab that serves the Union ED, with added space and equipment 
• Fully upgraded Phillips patient monitoring system 
• Redesigned space to create alcoves for the nourishment area and equipment storage 
• Negative exhaust capability added to the private rooms to help manage airborne illness 
• Modern finishes throughout 

Overlook worked with Buckl Architects, MPE Consulting & Design LLC and Holt Construction on the renovations.

Committed to care

“The Emergency Department at our Union Campus stands as a shining example of successful community-based health care,” Stephanie Schwartz, senior vice president, Atlantic Health System, and president, Overlook Medical Center, said in a statement. “For almost two decades our commitment to keeping emergency care within Union Township has led to better health for the surrounding communities.” 

The emergency department previously was part of the former Union Hospital. Atlantic Health took over operations in 2007. The Union Emergency Department receives approximately 36,000 visits each year, according to Atlantic Health.

The department offers on-site laboratory and imaging, telestroke capabilities, board-certified emergency medicine physicians, registered nurses and a dedicated pharmacist and respiratory therapist. 

“Our teams consistently strive to elevate the experience we provide to patients and families and are proud to continue this tradition of excellence within the community,” added Heather Veltre, chief nursing officer, Overlook Medical Center. 

In January, Atlantic Health System celebrated the completion of the $97 million expansion of Overlook Medical Center’s East Building on the Summit campus.

Editor’s note: This story was updated at 6 p.m. Nov. 20, 2025, with new photos of the renovations.