University Hospital CEO outlines campus redevelopment, EMS expansion and warns of Medicaid cuts

Carol Johnson, president and CEO of University Hospital, told the Newark Municipal Council on March 24 that the hospital has begun multi‑phase redevelopment to expand outpatient services and modernize its campus.

Johnson said crews recently removed decades‑old temporary trailers and that framing is up on the first floor of the first new building. "We will build two buildings on that site across the street, and then that will allow us to significantly expand our outpatient capacity," she said, adding that the hospital plans to negotiate construction of the second building after board approval this week.

Johnson described in‑facility upgrades already under way, including expansion of a high‑ranked liver transplant program, an expanded emergency department and new same‑day procedural rooms that have passed phase‑one State Department of Health clearance. She said University Hospital has refreshed staff amenities, created a clinical skills lab for training, and secured federal funds to expand its EMS vehicle fleet.

The CEO framed redevelopment as a community economic opportunity: University Hospital is tracking and trying to grow spending with local businesses, holding supplier forums and technical assistance sessions so Newark contractors understand how to bid on hospital and state work. "We are closely tracking today what we spend with local businesses," Johnson said, and invited council members to help host outreach events.

Council members pressed for concrete numbers on supplier outreach and local hiring. Councilman Kelly said he wants to see data showing how many local businesses attended supplier events and whether vendors took concrete next steps. Johnson agreed to provide metrics from the supplier forums and to follow up with specific numbers.

Johnson also discussed EMS deployment and the hospital's plans for localized outstations. When asked why ambulances might not appear visible at a substation, she said units are often on runs and committed to sharing detailed deployment numbers and offering council ride‑alongs and call‑center walk‑throughs so members could see triage and dispatch decisions firsthand.

A central theme of Johnson's remarks was concern about federal policy changes. "The substantial cuts to Medicaid are going to threaten the health care services available to so many folks in our community," she said. She warned that proposed rules requiring residents to re‑verify eligibility could make it harder for patients to keep coverage and said the hospital will cooperate with the city and community partners to help residents maintain benefits.

Multiple council members urged the hospital to invest in branding and community outreach to change a perception among some residents that University Hospital is primarily a trauma center. Councilman Gonzalez said many residents believe the hospital is only for serious trauma and not routine care; Johnson said she is "100% invested in changing that perception." Council members also proposed community training programs that pair CPR and basic EMS education with workforce pipelines for youth and lifeguard certification.

Johnson closed by thanking council members and staff for partnership and pledged follow‑up on EMS data, supplier metrics and coordinated Medicaid outreach with the city's health department.

The council took no formal action on the hospital presentation; members requested follow‑up information and data from University Hospital's team.