“Hospitals, by their very nature, are prepared for all sorts of emergencies, including public health threats. Ebola is an unprecedented illness for the U.S. healthcare system, but our hospital teams are using the same commitment, clinical expertise, planning, safety protocols and diligence they rely on in other emergencies to respond to the Ebola threat. In any emergency, the situation can change daily, even hourly. But we are preparing and adjusting every day to provide the best care and protection possible for our patients, healthcare workers and our communities.

“New Jersey hospitals have worked closely with the Christie Administration to prepare for this situation, and I applaud the leadership of Gov. Christie and Commissioner O’Dowd. My colleagues and I on the industry advisory panel will continue to work with the Ebola Virus Disease Joint Response Team to ensure an effective, efficient and coordinated response should the Ebola virus arrive in New Jersey.

“Our healthcare workers are on the frontlines of this response. They are skilled and dedicated individuals, and I have every confidence in them. We thank the leaders and the healthcare teams at University Hospital, Hackensack University Medical Center and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital for their role as designated facilities that will care for any Ebola patient that could present in New Jersey, as well as hospitals and healthcare professionals across the state who have mobilized in a collective response to identify, isolate and contain this virus.”