Southern Ocean Medical Center Expanding

Southern Ocean Medical Center will break ground in October on a $20 million emergency room expansion that will more than triple the facility's size.

The expansion will increase the size of the emergency room from 8,500 square feet to 29,500 square feet. The number of patient bays will increase from 22 to 42. The first phase of the ER project is expected to be completed by September 2012, and the entire expansion is scheduled to be completed by June 2013. The hospital treats more than 40,000 patients each year.

Following are some key moments in the development of Southern Ocean Medical Center:

• In the early 1970's, a small group of committed residents on Long Beach Island shared a dream to build a hospital.
• In 1972, after many years of fundraising, Southern Ocean County Hospital was opened in August under the sponsorship of Burlington Memorial, with 54 beds and 17 physicians.
• In 1980, the James Noble Pavilion was constructed adding a second floor with an additional 40 beds making Southern Ocean County Hospital eligible to apply for an independent operating license.
• In January 2010, Southern Ocean County Hospital joined the Meridian family.
• Southern Ocean County Hospital officially changed their name to Southern Ocean Medical Center in October 2010.
• Today, Southern Ocean Medical Center is a 176-bed center for medical excellence, featuring 230 physicians representing over 40 specialties, and over 1,200 skilled healthcare professionals.

Southern Ocean Medical Center have received the following recognition over the years:

• Bariatric Program designated Center of Excellence by the American Society of Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery
• Designated Primary Stroke Center
• Accreditation with Commendation from the Commission on Cancer
• Recognized as Gold Level Recipient of the American Heart Association's Start! Fit-friendly Companies
• Joint Commission Certification

Southern Ocean Medical Center is located at 1140 Route 72 West, Manahawkin, NJ.