Penn Medicine Cherry Hill, a new 150,000 square foot outpatient facility, celebrated its opening with a ribbon cutting last night at its location at 1865 Route 70 East in Cherry Hill, NJ. With 28 specialties and expanded radiology and laboratory offerings in one building, the new facility allows patients to see their primary care doctor or a specialist, receive lab work, radiology services, and even pick up their prescriptions, all in one location.
A recent Philadelphia Inquirer article referred to the facility as the new giant on the Route 70 “health care highway,” treating simple and complex cases requiring care from specialists in dermatology, neuroscience, musculoskeletal specialties and physical therapy, urology and male fertility, liver transplant, cardiovascular medicine, and more.
Expanded lab services, comprehensive radiology (MRI, CT, PET/CT, mammograms, bone density scanning, and ultrasound) are also offered on-site. The location also allows South Jersey patients to receive a broad spectrum of adult cancer services -- including hematology, surgical and radiation oncology -- which cancer patients may need daily for several weeks at a time. Being part of Penn Medicine, patients at the new practice can coordinate with other locations for additional cancer treatment, such as proton beam therapy or cancer surgeries. Penn Medicine Cherry Hill started seeing patients last month.
During the event, Ronald Barg, MD, executive director of Clinical Care Associates, Elizabeth Johnston, executive director, Clinical Practices of the University of Pennsylvania, Tracey Commack, associate executive director of Penn Medicine Cherry Hill, and Ralph Muller, chief executive officer of the University of Pennsylvania Health System shared why the new practice is significant to the future of health care in South Jersey.
"Someday you'll describe these locations as hospitals without beds,” said Muller. “Here patients can receive chronic care in almost all modalities and specialties."
In addition to investing in South Jersey, the new opening is a win for everyone involved, Muller added.
Although the previous Cherry Hill practice was closed for only a weekend before this opened, planning and development took many hands working together. Early on, it sounds like this hard work is paying off.
“We are thrilled to welcome Penn Medicine as our newest neighbor,” said Chuck Cahn, mayor of Cherry Hill Township. “Both public and private entities have worked closely and collaboratively to create the best possible facility for Penn patients. I want to commend the way you have already immersed yourself in our community.”
Before the opening, the group met to hone a common vision. With a focus on integrity, diversity, and professional opportunity, they outlined what specifically sets them apart: taking care of patients in an empathetic way, providing coordinated care, and exhibiting accountability to their colleagues as well as patients and their families.
6ABC was on hand to capture the event.
Photo above credit: Daniel Burke Photography