Kimball Medical Center to Merge with Monmouth Medical

Barnabas Health has announced plans to merge Kimball Medical Center and Monmouth Medical Center on Thursday.

Officials said they're planning to create an integrated, regionalized, two-campus partnership and renaming Kimball Medical Center in Lakewood, Monmouth Medical Center, Southern Campus.

As part of the move, Barnabas Health President and CEO Barry H. Ostrowsky said they will be providing an $11 million dollar investment to Kimball for Capital improvements."We are taking proactive measures to adapt to the healthcare environment nationally and in Lakewood while ensuring that we share the strengths of our facilities to provide quality care to the communities we service," said Ostrowsky.

According to a Barnabas Health press release, they're making the move to maintain its position as a strong and viable healthcare leader for the future. It said the merger will result in seamless access to Monmouth Medical Center's specialty services, establish a stronger healthcare delivery model for the future and expand outpatient services.