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In the 1950s, Atlantic City was still a booming, popular middle-class resort.
The half-century-old hospital was once again showing its age. Generous community
members pledged $1.3 million, and a federal grant awarded $744,839 to support
hospital expansion. Altogether, the new 180-bed wing, containing Maternity and
Nursery, operating rooms with special procedure areas and state-of-the-art X-ray
units, a nine-bed recovery room, central sterile processing, an admissions area,
a chapel and dining services, cost more than $3 million.
After years of planning and
fundraising, the eight-story
South Wing addition opened
in 1959. The late state senator
Frank S. Farley remarked,
“It makes Atlantic City the
health resort it really is.”
In his dedication remarks, Edward R. Knight, PhD, a longtime AtlantiCare
fundraiser and board leader, thanked community benefactors, saying,
“In the years to come, you will know your fellow human beings of every race,
color and creed will be benefited by your generosity.”
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History of Caring