History

JFK Medical Center began in the 1960's as little more than a dream and an idea in response to the increasing demand for health care services created by a rapid population growth occurring in Edison, Woodbridge, Metuchen and surrounding communities. The late Edison Mayor, Anthony M. Yelencsics, for whom the original community hospital was named, led a grassroots effort to open a hospital to meet this demand. Mayor Yelencsics was appointed board chairman of the future hospital and his first official action was to establish a Women’s Auxiliary. The Mayor asked long-time community resident and advocate, Mrs. Charles Wira of Edison to take on the responsibility of starting the Auxiliary – in order to raise funds and solicit support for the future community hospital.

Mayor Yelencsics convinced Edison officials to donate nearly 40 acres of township land for the hospital. He then lobbied with congressional leaders – such as Middlesex County’s own Rep. Edward J. Patten – to win $1.1 million in Hill-Burton funds, which at the time represented the largest single grant awarded in New Jersey under that program. By this time, before the hospital had even opened its doors, more than $110,000 in pledges had been raised in community donations by the Auxiliary.

Over the next few decades, JFK Medical Center has continued to expand and invest in technology that brings state-of-the-art health care to everyone in our community.

JFK Medical Center Timeline

1967
New Jersey’s newest 205-bed hospital opened its doors and admits its first patient.

1974
Construction on the hospital’s first expansion program that included the Women’s Auxiliary Pavilion and the Robert Wood Johnson Jr. Rehabilitation Institute (known today throughout the nation as the JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute).

1976
The JFK Family Medicine Center opens to provide patients with patient-centered care and a wide-array of services.

1984
JFK enhanced its scope of services by entering the long-term care arena with the addition of the JFK Hartwyck Nursing, Convalescent & Rehabilitation Centers, which provide a wide range of special services for long-term and residential care.
 
1987
Hartwyck at Oak Tree opens offering skilled nursing services and respite care in pleasant, comfortable surroundings.

1988
JFK Mediplex Surgery Center opens its doors. The JFK Mediplex Surgery Center- located across the street from the Medical Center, is a hospital based ambulatory surgery center designed to cater to the pediatric patients’ special needs as well as adolescent and adult patients.

1990
New Jersey's first Huntington's Disease Unit opens at JFK Hartwyck Cedar Brook.
Haven Hospice opens inside of JFK. Haven Hospice is for patients and their families who are coping with a life-threatening illness.

1992
New Jersey Neuroscience Institute at JFK opens.  The creation of the Institute attracted top neuroscience experts from all across the United States with its clinical research and trials, medical and surgical education and innovative treatment protocols.

1993
Hartwyck at Edison Estates opens.   Hartwyck at Oak Tree is a unique facility that provides not only geriatric care, but also specialized care for residents who are ventilator-dependent or suffering from traumatic brain injury.

1997
The new, five story Patient Tower opened its doors.  The expansion project included eight new operating rooms; a new maternity unit; a centralized location for the New Jersey Neuroscience Institute.

Solaris Health System is formed.  This community-owned, not-for-profit health system serves the residents of the greater Central New Jersey region including Union and Somerset counties.

2011
Solaris Health System is renamed JFK Health System to better reflect our continued commitment to the communities we serve. 

The Future
With the construction of the new JFK Emergency Pavilion scheduled for completion in 2013, JFK continues its mission to expand and provide health care to everyone in our region. JFK continues to invest in new technology and people to ensure that we remain the hospital of choice for you and your family.