HACKENSACK, N.J., April 6, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- At the 2016 Annual Meeting of the Boards for Hackensack University Health Network (HackensackUHN) and Hackensack University Medical Center (HackensackUMC), HackensackUMC and Uber New Jersey announced the formation of a first-of-its-kind partnership to provide access to convenient, reliable transportation for staff, patients, and visitors. This groundbreaking initiative will integrate Uber's ridesharing services throughout the hospital experience.

HackensackUMC will assist in supporting the cost of Uber trips home from the medical center for those in need, and both Uber and HackensackUMC will implement features within their apps to facilitate seamless pick-ups and drop-offs.

"At HackensackUMC, we are committed to providing the best care to patients in the most convenient ways possible. We continuously assess our patients' needs and try to respond by offering services and programs," said Robert C. Garrett, president and chief executive officer, Hackensack University Health Network. "We are proud to partner with Uber for this one-of-a-kind service that will make healthcare more accessible to our patients, team members and visitors who cite transportation as an obstacle to care."

On-demand rides through Uber will also improve efficiency, as discharging patients who lack a transportation alternative is often costly and time-intensive.

In the coming weeks, Uber will activate a feature in its app that allows users to indicate specifically which pick-up zone they are located in when requesting a ride. Additionally, Uber ride reminders will be built into the HackensackUMC app and the hospital's website will host a ride request landing page.

The new pick-up/drop-off areas at the hospital will be designated by co-branded signs, and HackensackUMC employees will be at these locations to help riders get in and out of their Ubers.

To encourage the use of Uber as a transportation alternative, HackensackUMC will launch an education campaign for its team members, patients and visitors. Informational brochures will be distributed throughout the campus and the HackensackUMC team will be trained to help riders request an Uber if they require assistance. First-time riders will be able to get a free first ride up to $20 using the promotion code HACKENSACKUMC.

"HackensackUMC is taking a bold step to ensure that everyone has a safe, reliable way to get home following their medical visit," said Ana Mahony, General Manager for Uber New Jersey. "Across the state, community leaders and local governments are increasingly turning to Uber to help tackle their greatest transportation challenges, and we're proud to offer innovative solutions."

About HackensackUMC
HackensackUMC, a 775- bed nonprofit teaching and research hospital located in Bergen County, NJ, is the largest provider of inpatient and outpatient services in the state. Founded in 1888 as the county's first hospital, it is the flagship hospital of Hackensack University Health Network, one of the largest health networks in the state comprised of 1,717 beds, more than 10,000 team members and 3,300 credentialed physicians. HackensackUMC was listed as the number one hospital in New Jersey in U.S. News & World Report's 2015-16 Best Hospital rankings - maintaining its place atop the NJ rankings since the rating system was introduced. It was also named one of the top four New York Metro Area hospitals. HackensackUMC is one of only five major academic medical centers in the nation to receive Healthgrades America's 50 Best Hospitals Award for five or more years in a row. The medical center is one of the top 25 green hospitals in the country according to Practice Greenhealth, and received 24 Gold Seals of Approval™ by The Joint Commission – more than any other hospital in the country. It was the first hospital in New Jersey and second in the nation to become a Magnet® recognized hospital for nursing excellence; receiving its fifth consecutive designation in 2014. HackensackUMC has created an entire campus of award-winning care, including: the John Theurer Cancer Center; the Heart & Vascular Hospital; and the Sarkis and Siran Gabrellian Women's and Children's Pavilion, which houses the Joseph M. Sanzari Children's Hospital and Donna A. Sanzari Women's Hospital, which was designed with The Deirdre Imus Environmental Health Center and listed on the Green Guide's list of Top 10 Green Hospitals in the U.S. HackensackUMC is the Hometown Hospital of the New York Giants and the New York Red Bulls and is Official Medical Services Provider to The Barclays PGA Golf Tournament. It remains committed to its community through fundraising and community events. To learn more, visit www.HackensackUMC.org.

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SOURCE Hackensack University Medical Center

Related Links

http://www.HackensackUMC.org