Mountainside Hospital Set for a New Phase of Community Health Excellence with LHP Hospital Group, Inc. and Hackensack University Medical Center Joint Venture

MONTCLAIR, N.J., Feb. 1, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Montclair Health System, LLC, a joint venture between LHP Hospital Group, Inc. (LHP) and HackensackUMC, today filed a Certificate of Need application with the NJ Department of Health and Senior Services Office of Certificate of Need and Healthcare Facility Licensure for a transfer of ownership of Mountainside Hospital in Montclair, New Jersey, from its present owner, Merit Mountainside, LLC, a subsidiary of Merit Health Systems, LLC.

"We're gratified to have found a new steward for Mountainside who shares our hospital-wide commitment to delivering exceptional health care within a culture of collaboration with the physicians and employees and community," said Mountainside President and CEO John Fromhold.  "LHP's demonstrated track record of commitment and investment ensures Mountainside can continue building on the successes we have achieved with our great physician teams, employees and local community.  Looking forward, we are confident that LHP, as manager and operator of Mountainside, together with its local partner HackensackUMC, will ensure this hospital is well-positioned for future growth."

LHP CEO Dan Moen commented, "Mountainside is one of the premier hospitals in New Jersey with an outstanding record of providing quality patient care and safety. The hospital has served Montclair, Glen Ridge and surrounding communities for over 120 years. LHP is honored to enter into a joint venture to work with the medical staff, community board members and employees of this organization. We are very excited about the future and what Mountainside can bring to our organization and what we can share with Mountainside as we build on the momentum and success that the hospital already enjoys."

"Our team of leading physicians has had a tremendous impact on Mountainside and we are proud of the significant accomplishments we've achieved together in only a short period," said Dr. Konstantin Walmsley, Medical Staff President, Mountainside Hospital. "From new innovative capabilities like robotic surgery to new programs like hyperbaric oxygen therapy, we've strengthened Mountainside's medical and community reputation. LHP is an ideal manager and operator, and HackensackUMC a national leader in quality and innovation.  With their strong histories of collaborating with physicians and commitment to investment, they will help Mountainside continue to bring the latest medical programs, technology, and care to our local community."  

"It's our honor to be asked to collaborate with the physicians, board members, staff and the community to ensure quality healthcare and service excellence continues in the Mountainside region," said Robert C. Garrett, President and Chief Executive Officer of HackensackUMC. "Hackensack University Health Network looks forward to our partnership with LHP to help continue to strengthen healthcare in New Jersey."

"The selection of this LHP – HackensackUMC joint venture for Mountainside ensures the continued success of this hospital and its close relationship with the Montclair and surrounding communities," said Franklyn Jenifer, Mountainside Hospital Board Chairman.  "We look forward to working with LHP and HackensackUMC to build on Mountainside's legacy of excellent care for our community."

Mountainside Hospital is presently owned by Merit Mountainside, LLC, a subsidiary of Merit Health Systems, LLC, a leading private hospital management company.  

About LHP Hospital Group, Inc.
LHP Hospital Group, Inc. (LHP) is a privately held company established to provide essential capital and expertise to not-for-profit hospitals and hospital systems. In cooperation with local hospitals, LHP forms joint ventures to acquire, own, operate and manage acute care facilities in small cities and select urban markets throughout the United States. Headquartered in Plano, Texas, LHP is owned by affiliates of the private equity firm CCMP Capital Advisors, LLC and the CPP Investment Board as well as certain members of management and the board of directors. For more information, please go to www.lhphospitalgroup.com.

About Mountainside Hospital
At Mountainside Hospital, world-class physicians treat a wide range of medical conditions using state-of-the-art technology. Patients have immediate access to innovative and effective treatment alternatives at specialized centers within the hospital that focus on imaging, women's health, cancer care, surgery, obesity, stroke and chronic kidney disease.  The 365-bed community hospital delivers personalized care while also serving as a learning center via its nursing school and residency programs in family medicine, internal medicine and dentistry.  Mountainside Hospital is designated as a Primary Stroke Center by the NJ State Department of Health and Senior Services and is one of only a few community hospitals licensed by the State to perform emergency angioplasty.  To learn more about Mountainside visit www.mountainsidehosp.com.

About Hackensack University Medical Center
Hackensack University Medical Center is a 775-bed not-for-profit, tertiary care, teaching and research hospital and provides the largest number of admissions in New Jersey. Founded in 1888 with 12 beds and as Bergen County's first hospital, Hackensack University Medical Center has demonstrated more than a century of growth and progress. Hackensack University Medical Center is a nationally recognized healthcare organization offering patients the most comprehensive services, state-of-the-art technologies, and facilities. Honors include being named one of America's 50 Best Hospitals by HealthGrades® for five years in a row. Hackensack University Medical Center is the only hospital in New Jersey, New York, and New England to receive this honor for five consecutive years. Hackensack University Medical Center was also named one of the 50 Best Hospitals in America by Becker's Hospital Review. U.S. News & World Report ranked Hackensack University Medical Center eighth in the New York Metro Area in its first-ever Best Hospitals metro area rankings, giving it the top ranking out of all the New Jersey hospitals listed. Additionally, Hackensack University Medical Center has been ranked in geriatrics, heart and heart surgery, and cancer in U.S. News & World Report's 2011-12 Best Hospitals. The U.S. News Media Group also named the Joseph M. Sanzari Children's Hospital to its "2011-12 Best Children's Hospitals" list – ranking as one of the top 50 in the specialty of neurology and neurosurgery – the first hospital in the State of New Jersey ever to be ranked in a Best Children's Hospitals specialty. Hackensack University Medical Center is a Magnet® recognized hospital for nursing excellence, first in New Jersey, second in the nation, receiving its fourth designation in April 2009. Hackensack University Medical Center is the hometown hospital of the New York Giants and the New Jersey Nets. Learn how one of the nation's top 50 hospitals can help you at www.HackensackUMC.org.  

About Merit Health Systems
Merit Health Systems is a private hospital management company which acquires, owns and operates urban community hospitals. Based in Louisville, Kentucky, Merit was founded specifically to address the significant and growing needs of community hospitals in larger urban markets.

SOURCE Hackensack University Medical Center