South Jersey’s healthcare landscape is on the brink of a historic transformation.
In a powerful symbol of progress and community investment, Virtua Health has officially broken ground on a $500 million expansion of Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Camden — a move that promises to elevate regional healthcare to new heights. The upcoming Marvin Samson Pavilion, named in honor of the esteemed Virtua trustee and medical technologies innovator, will serve as the cornerstone of a next-generation medical campus when it opens in approximately two years.
More than just a building, this ambitious project is a commitment — a promise to meet the evolving health needs of South Jersey residents with cutting-edge care, advanced technology, and a deep-rooted focus on healing, access, and equity.
🏥 Location: Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Camden, NJ
🛠️ Project Cost: $500 million
🎯 Completion Target: 2027
💡 A Bold Vision for a Healthier New Jersey
Virtua Health, one of the state’s largest not-for-profit health systems, isn’t just expanding physically — it’s redefining what healthcare can look like in the Garden State. The new pavilion will centralize world-class medical services and surgical care, all while supporting the core mission of compassion and community service that has defined Lourdes for the past 75 years.
The facility will house state-of-the-art surgical suites, expanded outpatient services, advanced diagnostic imaging, and patient-centered inpatient rooms designed for comfort, privacy, and recovery. The investment reflects both the scale of Virtua’s ambitions and its unwavering dedication to Camden and the greater South Jersey region.
This move also brings jobs, community development, and an inspiring vote of confidence in Camden’s future. It’s a wellness-centered leap forward — for both patients and the neighborhood at large.
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🌱 A Symbolic Start with Deep Roots
The ground-blessing ceremony was more than ceremonial — it was spiritual, hopeful, and deeply rooted in the history of Lourdes. Leaders from Virtua, along with community partners, healthcare workers, and spiritual representatives, came together in a moment that honored the past and looked boldly to the future.
From its humble beginnings in the mid-20th century to its role as a modern healing hub today, Our Lady of Lourdes has long been a pillar of compassionate care. With this new chapter, Virtua is preserving that legacy while equipping it for the challenges of tomorrow.
🩺 Celebrating Healthcare Achievements Across the State
The excitement surrounding the Marvin Samson Pavilion comes at a time when New Jersey’s health and wellness community is thriving:
- Dr. Teddy L. Atik, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon at Central Jersey Hand Surgery, has been honored as an NJ Top Doc for 2025 — a testament to the caliber of medical professionals shaping patient care in our state.
- Students from Kent County High School’s Art Society recently brought warmth and joy to the halls of Chestertown Nursing and Rehab, proving that healing comes not only through medicine but through creativity, empathy, and human connection.
- Meanwhile, insurance transformation firm Stratus is helping to modernize health coverage systems in a more human-first way, signaling that innovation is happening on every level of healthcare — from the hospitals to the policies that support them.
🏥 The Future of Health Is Being Built Now
The Marvin Samson Pavilion is not just about steel and concrete. It’s about what it represents: a future where South Jersey residents can access premium care without leaving their community, where hospital rooms feel more like sanctuaries than institutions, and where healthcare providers are empowered to heal, innovate, and inspire.
Virtua’s expansion of Our Lady of Lourdes is one of the most significant health investments in the state’s history — and it’s happening right here, in the heart of Camden.
Stay tuned as we follow the development of this transformative project and continue to spotlight the people, places, and innovations that are reshaping health and wellness in New Jersey.
🎨 Healing Through Humanity — and Art
The future of health isn’t only shaped by high-tech hospitals. Sometimes, it’s students with paintbrushes who make the biggest difference.
Recently, a group of Kent County High School Art Society students spent an afternoon brightening up the halls of Chestertown Nursing and Rehab, proving that art, color, and youthful creativity can bring healing and joy to the elderly. Their thoughtful contribution reminds us that community health is about more than medicine — it’s about connection.
🧠 Mindful Innovation: A Human-First Approach
Just as Virtua is transforming physical care, the business of health is evolving behind the scenes, too. Stratus, a leader in insurance transformation, has unveiled a new brand identity that reflects its mission to be a human-first partner in modernizing insurance for the healthcare sector. In a time where clarity, compassion, and innovation are vital, Stratus is helping insurers simplify the complex — and keep patients at the heart of the process.
🩺 Excellence in Practice: Celebrating Local Healthcare Leaders
Recognition is also due to Dr. Teddy L. Atik, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon at Central Jersey Hand Surgery, who has been named an NJ Top Doc for 2025. With a career defined by precision, passion, and patient success, Dr. Atik exemplifies the best of New Jersey’s medical talent and continues to be a trusted leader in orthopedic care.
🛣️ The Road Ahead
The Marvin Samson Pavilion is not just a hospital expansion — it’s a vision in motion. It represents everything New Jersey healthcare is becoming: modern, accessible, and deeply human.
When it opens in two years, this $500 million facility will stand as a testament to what’s possible when world-class care meets community purpose. From enhanced surgical capabilities to more welcoming recovery spaces, Virtua is building a future that supports every patient’s journey — from diagnosis to recovery, and beyond.
And while the bricks and beams are going up in Camden, the ripple effects of this project will be felt across South Jersey — improving access, creating jobs, and setting a new gold standard for compassionate care.
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