Governor Jon Corzine
Senator Loretta L. Weinberg
Senator Robert Gordon
Senator Gerald Cardinale
Commissioner Heather Howard- New Jersey Dept. of Health and Senior Services


The undersigned do hereby petition the State of New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services to approve the application by Hackensack University Medical Center for the transfer of the Certificate of Need formerly held by Pascack Valley Hospital. Hackensack University Medical Center North at Pascack Valley will offer the re-establishment of a full service acute care community hospital at the Westwood, New Jersey campus that our area residents have counted on for over fifty(50) years and whose services are in need by tens of thousands of citizens.

The burden of a dramatic increase in travel time to alternative hospitals has been borne by emergency service personnel throughout the region. The requirement to travel greater distances for treatment has had a significant impact on all the areas citizens seeking medical treatment or for the assistance of family members receiving treatment, especially senior citizens. We have all witnessed the negative effects the closing of Pascack Valley Hospital has caused and we cannot afford to be without a hospital any longer.

The Mayor and Council of the Borough of Westwood, New Jersey do hereby authorize Borough Clerk, Karen Hughes and Councilmember William Phayre to monitor and maintain this petition.