Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH) Somerset, an RWJBarnabas Health hospital, dedicated its new Rapid Decision Unit today in honor of the Kalafer family

SOMERVILLE, NJ,  – Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH) Somerset, an RWJBarnabas Health hospital, dedicated its new Rapid Decision Unit today in honor of the Kalafer family, who has donated more than $3.5 million to the hospital over the past two decades. The 18-room Rapid Decision Unit will care for patients from the Emergency Department who do not need to be admitted to the hospital but need further evaluation and monitoring to determine the best plan of care. It is expected to open to patients later this month. 

“The Rapid Decision Unit is a great addition to our hospital, serving as an extension of our Emergency Department with a staff of emergency medicine clinicians,” said Deirdre Blaus, Chief Administrative Officer, RWJUH Somerset. “Having this dedicated space for patients under observation will make our Emergency Department more efficient and will help patients get home faster. We are so proud that this new unit will bear the Kalafer family name.” 

During the unit’s dedication ceremony, the hospital honored Suzanne Kalafer, her son, Josh, and his wife, Rachel; her son, Jonathan, and his wife, Kori; and her late husband, Steve. “The Kalafers have been tremendous partners in advancing health care in Central New Jersey not only through their generosity but through two generations of leaders in our organization,” said Donna Castronovo, Vice President of Development, Somerset Health Care Foundation. 

“We are extremely grateful for their long-time support which has helped transform our facilities and elevate the care we provide to our patients.” Steve Kalafer, chairman emeritus of the Somerset Patriots and chairman of the Flemington Car & Truck Country Family of Brands, was chairman emeritus of the Board of Trustees of Somerset Health Care Foundation, the hospital’s fundraising arm. He led fundraising campaigns in support of the building of the hospital’s Steeplechase Cancer Center, emergency department, the Paul R. Nardoni Oncology Pavilion, the Mary and John Obzansky Pavilion for orthopedic patients, the Frimmer Healing Gardens and the Edward and Anita Hogan Neuroscience Pavilion. 

He also served as a member of the Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Board of Trustees, playing a key role in guiding the merger between the Robert Wood Johnson Health System and Barnabas Health in 2016. He later served as a member of the RWJBarnabas Health Board of Trustees. Josh Kalafer, co-owner of Clinton Honda and Land Rover Princeton and co-owner and co-chairman of the Somerset Patriots, serves as co-vice chair of Somerset Health Care Foundation. He has chaired the Foundation’s annual golf outing since 2013, which has raised more than $1.7 million to support programs and services at the hospital. Jonathan Kalafer, who also serves a co-chairman of the Somerset Patriots has had an active role in establishing RWJBarnabas Health as the official health care provider of the Somerset Patriots. The Kalafer family’s generous gifts to the hospital include a $1 million donation along with Flemington Car & Truck Country Family of Brands and the Somerset Patriots to renovate RWJUH Somerset’s geriatric unit in 2020. “As a family, supporting the hospital and the health of our community is a top priority, we are honored to have our name associated with this new unit and are thankful to New Jersey Manufactures Insurance Company who helped to inspire this gift through their good works and community support,” said Josh Kalafer. For more information about Somerset Health Care Foundation and ways to support RWJUH Somerset, visit www.rwjbh.org/somersetgiving or call 908-685-2885.

About Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset

Located in Somerville, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH) Somerset, an RWJBarnabas Health facility, is a nationally accredited, 343-bed regional hospital providing comprehensive emergency, medical/surgical, behavioral health and rehabilitative services to central New Jersey residents. As a designated teaching hospital of Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, the hospital maintains a family medicine residency program with 21 residents.RWJUH Somerset has earned significant national recognition for clinical quality and patient safety including the prestigious Magnet® Award for Nursing Excellence. As the first hospital in New Jersey to offer primary health care services for the LGBTQIA community, RWJUH Somerset has been honored as a Leader in LGBT Healthcare Equality by the Human Rights Campaign.The Steeplechase Cancer Center at RWJUH Somerset has been designated as a Comprehensive Community Cancer Center by the American College of Surgeons’ Commission on Cancer. RWJBarnabas Health and RWJUH Somerset in partnership with Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey - the state's only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center - bring a world class team of researchers and specialists to fight alongside you, providing close-to-home access to the latest treatment and clinical trials.

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