Virtua Health commemorated the 75th anniversary of Virtua Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital (Camden, New Jersey) and unveiled plans for a $500 million renovation and expansion, including a new six-story patient care pavilion named in honor of philanthropist Marvin Samson.
The Marvin Samson Foundation has pledged $5 million – the largest gift in Virtua’s history – in support of education and workforce development programs at the health system, which is South Jersey’s largest.
The nearly 200,000-square-foot addition will increase the hospital’s size by 35%, noted Virtua President and CEO Dennis W. Pullin, FACHE. Attached to the existing hospital at Haddon and Euclid avenues, the new building will support the complex services Virtua has centralized within Virtua Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, drawing patients from across New Jersey and other states. These specialties include advanced cardiovascular care, organ transplantation and a neurosciences program in partnership with Penn Medicine.
“This state-of-the-art addition will be transformative,” said Lisa Ferraro, senior vice president of Virtua Health and president of Virtua Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital. “It will provide all private rooms, advanced surgical facilities, dedicated spaces for specialized care, and areas for reflection and remembrance. It will also create the hospital’s new front door and a stunning, welcoming lobby.”
The Samson Pavilion is expected to welcome patients at the end of 2027. Additionally, renovations and updates of the hospital’s existing facilities are underway. Learn more about the project here.