Statement by
Debbie White, RN and President

Regarding the announcement by Englewood Health on the merger into the Hackensack Meridian Health System

Englewood Health is one of only a handful of independent community hospitals left in New Jersey. HPAE Nurses at Englewood Health, which formed their union 45 years ago, are committed to working with Hackensack Meridian Health to ensure nurses continue to have a voice in patient care and workers’ rights at Englewood Health.

HPAE urges hospital executives to keep the community informed. There must be transparency at all levels as state regulators review the impact the merger will have on patients, the community and the healthcare workers at the hospital.

The Office of the Attorney General and NJ Department of Health must give the community the assurance that there will be a transparent process and that the regulators will seek the input of the community surrounding this hospital and those throughout the state who are served by Hackensack Meridian facilities.

Greater transparency and involvement from the community will create a final agreement that protects the interests of patients and the Englewood community. HPAE members currently working in other Hackensack Meridian facilities, have experienced the transition into a larger health system. Their insight as well as the viewpoint of patients who have received care during that time of transition should be considered before regulators approve a merger agreement.

HPAE looks forward to working with Hackensack Meridian to ensure the nurses at Englewood Health maintain a collaborative relationship with administration and that administration continue to listen to the voices of nurses who are on the frontlines of delivering care to the community.

HPAE is the largest union of registered nurses and health care professionals in New Jersey, including 750 Registered Nurses at Englewood Health. Since HPAE’s founding by Englewood Hospital nurses in 1974, HPAE has expanded across the state and into Southeastern Pennsylvania representing 13,000 nurses, social workers, therapists, technicians, medical researchers, and other health care professionals in hospitals, nursing homes, home care agencies, blood banks, and university research facilities. HPAE is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO.