Portal to the community. Dedicating a facility to ambulatory and long-term care completes the continuum for a New Jersey system.

In 1989 Cathedral Healthcare System, Orange, NJ, began a strategic planning process that culminated in a decision to create a continuum of care. Converting one of its three hospitals from an acute care to an ambulatory care facility gave Cathedral an opportunity to address fiscal realities and at the same time further develop its continuum of care. The converted hospital (Saint Mary's in Orange) would be a key component of a full continuum of care for area residents. Saint Mary's would also serve as a portal of entry to the system's services. The community's need for affordable, accessible healthcare has been well documented. Converting Saint Mary's to alternative uses was one approach the system could take to better meet the needs of this underserved population. In addition to providing ambulatory care, Cathedral will be transforming the acute care beds into much-needed long-term care beds. The conversion will enable Saint Mary's to meet the needs of a growing aging population.