BRICK – Forty years ago, Brick Hospital opened its doors as a small 120-bed community medical center. Today, Hackensack Meridian Ocean University Medical Center (OUMC) has grown into a 357-bed facility and is part of a network recognized for excellence by U.S. News & World Report.
To celebrate its 40th anniversary, OUMC hosted a large community event, transforming its grounds into a lively gathering for residents, hospital staff, and families. The celebration featured a wide range of activities, with something for everyone to enjoy. It also allowed the medical center to showcase its advances in medical technology and care.
The event included interactive exhibits with demonstrations of the hospital’s robotic-assisted surgery technology. OUMC has two da Vinci robots for minimally invasive surgery and a separate robot used for knee replacement. They are in the process of purchasing another robot designed to assist in spinal surgeries.
Guests had the chance to observe how the cutting-edge surgical robots work, with even small children sitting by the controls as though playing a fun video game.
Photo by Stephanie Faughnan
Dr. Thomas R. Lake, a colon and rectal surgeon for 23 years, watched as curious onlookers came to check out the robots on display. He said he has performed over 1,000 robotic bowel surgeries and shared the benefits of the technology.
“Patients have less pain and a quicker recovery overall,” said Lake. “They’re getting out of the hospital in two days versus five days; returning to work in three weeks versus eight weeks. It’s a big difference.”
Robotic surgery offers surgeons enhanced precision and comfort. With ten times magnification, it provides superior visualization, and wristed instruments allow for movements similar to open surgery. Surgeons can sit comfortably at a console, reducing strain, while the system filters out tremors for smoother, more accurate procedures.
Event attendees had a chance to meet three members of the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office K-9 unit and Sangria, the white horse from the Sheriff’s Office. They also had the opportunity to get an up-close look at Hackensack Meridian’s medical helicopter.
Ken Souchek, Vice President of Operations and Argenidada Lopez, a hospital environmental worker, exchange greetings at the event. (Photo by Stephanie Faughnan)
Mike Alessi, a paramedic, explained that he works alongside a pilot and a flight nurse to provide critical transport by helicopter. “The helicopter is equipped with essential hospital-grade equipment,” Alessi said, pointing out the on-board ventilator, an EKG monitor, and a device that measures oxygen levels in the body.
“We’re the only air medical program in the state of New Jersey that carries whole blood,” he added.
For hospital staff, the anniversary was more than just a celebration – it was a chance to reflect on decades of growth and camaraderie. Frank Citara, MBA, president and chief hospital executive, said the hospital’s affiliation with Hackensack Meridian has been instrumental in its development.
“Once we merged with Hackensack, a lot of investment went on,” said Citara. “In oncology, the heart-vascular center, the operating room, and overall, throughout the campus.”
Information was provided about how Brick Hospital started and its evolution. (Photo by Stephanie Faughnan)
Citara added that there are plans to increase the bed capacity at the medical center, as well as expansions within both oncology and surgical services. The impetus for investments has been the growth of the population, with a significant number of local residents moving from part-time to full-time status after the pandemic.
OUMC is a teaching hospital that began its residency program in 2018 with 20 residents. “Now we have 122 across all different specialties,” said Citara. “We hope to get them acclimated in the community and hope they want to stay with Hackensack Merdian.”
The hospital also partners with the nursing programs at Ocean County College and Georgian Court University and 60 nurses and other students are there almost every day, from September through May.
Many of OUMC’s long-term employees attended the celebration, reminiscing about the hospital’s transformation. Ken Souchek, Vice President of Operations, who has worked at OUMC for over three decades, reflected on his time there. “I’ve been here for 32 years, and the people have kept me around. It’s more than a workplace – it’s a family.”
Dr. Thomas R. Lake explains robotic-assisted surgery to visitors. (Photo by Stephanie Faughnan)
Almost on cue, hospital worker Argenidada Lopez came to greet Souchek with a big smile. He introduced Lopez as an “esteemed environmental worker” and was quite happy to wish her a happy birthday.
Souchek said he grew up in Brick and recalled past fundraising events when the facility was a “very small sleepy hospital.” He said he’s enjoyed the hospital reaching university status (in 2021), watching its growth, and seeing the evolution of the level of service and clinical programming.
Sangria, a horse owned by an Ocean County Sheriff’s Officer, made friends at the event. (Photo by Stephanie Faughnan)
As part of its ongoing commitment to the community, OUMC partnered with Fulfill, a local food bank, to collect food donations during the event. Visitors brought canned goods and non-perishable items to contribute to Fulfill’s mission of fighting hunger in the region.
“As Brick Township and our surrounding towns have grown rapidly over these past few decades, Ocean University Medical Center has always progressively served the needs of our region,” noted Brick Mayor Lisa Crate. “We are very fortunate to have the highly recognized OUMC as part of our neighborhood fabric.”
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