Rowan Univ. Holds Off On Land Sale For Proposed Hospital
By David Madden
GLASSBORO, N.J., (CBS) -- The board of trustees at Rowan University has put off a vote on the proposed sale of 100 acres of land just outside Glassboro for use as a new hospital.
The Inspira Health Network wants to build a facility near route 55 in Harrison Township, Gloucester County to replace its current hospital in Woodbury, although that facility would remain open in another capacity.
Rowan spokesman Joe Cardona says the university board opted to wait after hearing from the head of the rival Kennedy Health System. "He brought up some other issues that, perhaps, some of the bard members hadn't considered or thought about and certainly had not heard it presented Kennedy in that way," Cardona told KYW Newsradio.
The board was reminded that Kennedy has a hospital some 5 miles from the proposed site, and has a partnership with Rowan for its School of Osteopathic Medicine. Cardona says Rowan is looking to expand its medical school partnerships, which also includes one in Camden with Cooper Hospital.
But while not ruling out a deal with Inspira, Cardona suggests this is just part of a long term plan at Rowan. "We have 600 acres on our west campus," he said. "This would be 100 of those 600 acres. So those 600 acres we see as 20, 30, 40 years worth of development."
The board is scheduled to hold its next meeting February 17th, at which time the Inspira issue could be revisited.
Inspira officials could not be reached for comment.
