A New Jersey hospital enjoyed a bright moment this month when a time capsule was unearthed during renovations at the facility. Construction crews dug up a safe buried in 1997 at the Hackensack Meridian Raritan Bay Medical Center Old Bridge. The time capsule, found while expanding the Emergency Department, contained, among other items, a Bible, a brick, newspapers and a New Jersey Devils cap. Chief Hospital Executive, Thomas G. Shanahan says the finding was just what the doctor ordered. He says, “As we enter into the new normal, it’s nice to come together and celebrate the history of our hospital as well as looking forward to the future with our new, expanded Emergency Department.”
With all that's happening in hospitals now, the time capsule has provided a little escape of sorts. In a statement, Raritan Bay's Site Executive and Operations Vice President William DiStanislao says, “We look forward to burying another time capsule later this year with our team members as the construction on our new, expanded Emergency Department continues.” The medical center is investing $39 million to more than double the size of their facility. They wouldn't know how timely that decision would be when they broke ground last fall. Their goal then, as it is now, is to provide the community with safer, faster treatment areas and state-of-the-art technology that will improve testing and care for patients. Meanwhile, rumors have been circulating that there may be an older time capsule still waiting to be found on hospital grounds.
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