Deborah Visconi, President & CEO, Bergen New Bridge Medical Center
In a recent conversation with Invest:, Deborah Visconi, president and CEO of Bergen New Bridge Medical Center, discussed the organization’s recent achievements in mental health, addiction treatment, and surgical innovation.
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What have been the most significant milestones or achievements for Bergen New Bridge Medical Center over the past year?
The past year has been one of significant growth for Bergen New Bridge Medical Center, driven by innovation, expanded community engagement, and a focus on patient care. We’ve seen notable growth in patient volume, expanded our outpatient services, and integrated new technology. Technology is essential in healthcare, making us more efficient, improving patient outcomes, and making services more accessible to all those we serve.
Some of our key achievements include the expansion of our behavioral health and substance use disorder treatment services to meet increased demand. We opened the Depression Center of Excellence, which provides a comprehensive, holistic approach to treating depression. The center offers a wide range of services under one roof, including counseling, psychiatric care, medication management, ketamine infusions, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). This integrated model allows us to individualize treatment and deliver more effective care.
Another significant milestone was the launch of our Comprehensive Center for Addiction Treatment, known as CCAT, which uses evidence-based methods to address substance use disorders. By customizing treatments based on a patient’s specific needs, we’ve seen promising outcomes in patient recovery.
Additionally, we acquired the state-of-the-art da Vinci 5 surgical system, giving our community access to the latest in minimally invasive surgical technology. Robotic-assisted procedures often result in faster recovery times, improved precision, and better overall patient outcomes.
How are patients being introduced to new technologies, such as robotics, in healthcare?
Robotic surgery has become a standard of care for many surgeons, but we understand it might seem daunting to patients unfamiliar with the technology. We rely heavily on our providers to communicate the benefits of robotic-assisted procedures to patients, as they have built a foundation of trust with them.
When a robotic surgical procedure is recommended, our providers explain that it will be less invasive and recovery time will be quicker. Our providers always prioritize patient safety and comfort and share the wealth of expertise our surgeons have to alleviate any concerns.
How will the collaboration with Columbia University Irving Medical Center benefit the New Jersey patient community?
By collaborating with Bergen New Bridge Medical Center, these surgeons can now provide care locally, eliminating the need for patients to travel to New York City. This partnership brings world-renowned medical expertise into the heart of Bergen County, making it more convenient for residents to access high-quality care without the logistical challenges of traveling long distances.
Are you partnering with other organizations or government agencies to enhance your community outreach?
We work closely with many community stakeholders, given our role as a safety-net facility committed to serving the public. One key initiative is our collaboration with the Bergen County Housing Authority, where we focus on identifying individuals facing housing insecurity. Housing stability is a critical social determinant of health, and by addressing it proactively, we can improve the long-term well-being of vulnerable patients.
We also serve as a clinical affiliate of Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, which helps the Medical Center recruit skilled doctors to address our community’s evolving healthcare needs. In addition, we work with Integrity House to support residential substance use disorder treatment programs. We have developed strong relationships with the Korean American community, who account for 17% of Bergen County’s population. Many members of this community are older adults, and we have worked with them to tailor our services to their specific cultural and healthcare needs.
Is Teen T.H.R.I.V.E. part of the addiction services you mentioned?
Teen T.H.R.I.V.E. is indeed connected to our broader mental health and substance use disorder services. We recently launched a partial hospitalization program to provide adolescents with the care they need while allowing them to remain at home. Teen T.H.R.I.V.E. operates five days a week as a day-treatment program.
Teens receive counseling, psychiatric care, and other therapeutic services during the day, then return home in the evening. We strongly believe maintaining family connections during treatment fosters better outcomes and promotes stability and support for these young patients. We’ve seen promising engagement, and the feedback from families has been overwhelmingly positive.
What other healthcare trends are influencing Bergen New Bridge Medical Center’s direction?
Several industry trends are shaping our strategic direction. One significant shift is the move toward value-based care, which emphasizes patient outcomes, preventative care, and overall satisfaction rather than a traditional fee-for-service model. We’re also seeing an increase in the popularity of telemedicine and other digital health solutions, which were initially accelerated by the pandemic but have become an integral part of everyday healthcare.
In addition, we’re prioritizing the well-being of our workforce. The demands on healthcare professionals have grown considerably, and the industry is now focusing more on mental health resources, wellness programs, and strategies to prevent burnout.
How is Bergen New Bridge addressing the ongoing healthcare staffing shortages?
Staffing shortages continue to challenge healthcare organizations across the country, and we’ve implemented several initiatives to address the issue. We’ve introduced flexible scheduling options to enhance job satisfaction. Investing in professional development has also been a key focus for frontline staff and management.
Recognizing the logistical challenges some employees face, we launched a transportation program on the weekends for those with limited public transit options. Additionally, we’re in the planning stages of opening an on-site childcare center to ease the burden on working parents. Along with these practical solutions, we’re evaluating potential partnerships with educational institutions to develop loan forgiveness programs and attract new talent to our team.
What are the healthcare needs specific to the growing New Jersey population?
We’re seeing increased demand in several key areas. The aging population stands out as a major factor, with baby boomers reaching 65 or older by 2030. This demographic shift brings more cases of chronic diseases, joint replacements, and heart-related conditions. In addition to age-related healthcare needs, chronic conditions like diabetes have become more prevalent, particularly with the rise in prediabetes diagnoses. Mental health services also continue to experience growing demand with more individuals seeking support for anxiety, depression, PTSD, and substance use disorders across all age groups.
What is your outlook for the healthcare industry, and what are Bergen New Bridge Medical Center’s near-term plans?
We remain optimistic about the future of Bergen New Bridge Medical Center and the broader healthcare industry. Our plans include continued investments in infrastructure, service line expansion, and the continued integration of new technology to improve patient care.
While we’re deeply committed to innovation, we also stay grounded in our community-centered mission, focusing on programs like the Depression Center of Excellence and CCAT that address pressing healthcare needs. Looking ahead, we expect to see an increased use of artificial intelligence to streamline workflows and enhance care delivery. Workforce well-being will remain a priority as we introduce more support programs to prevent burnout and promote resilience. Ultimately, our goal is to continue being a beacon of health, hope, and healing for Bergen County and beyond.
