HOSPITAL

Deborah, according to hospital officials, is located in a “federally-designated, medically underserved rural area” by being located in the northwestern part of Burlington County. The hospital, celebrating more than 100 years of a mission to provide access to all regardless of ability to pay, serves a key role, providing access to high quality specialty care for residents in Burlington, Ocean, Mercer and surrounding counties.

During COVID-19, Deborah provided nearly 9,000 vaccinations at its clinic, and opened one of the first post-COVID recovery clinics in the tristate area.

According to the USDA, nearly 800,000 rural residents fall within Deborah’s service area.

In addition to the grant announcement, Ahmad toured Deborah’s $108 million construction expansion project, financed by USDA Rural Development with an $88 million Community Facilities Loan and $10 million Community Facilities Loan Guarantee.

The project, due to be completed in spring 2024, includes two new floors of private, critical care-level patient rooms, a staff respite area and mechanical space. The project also includes renovation work which will allow Deborah to upgrade existing patient rooms to include the same state-of-the-art features provided in the new floors, create a new pharmacy clean-room, and allow for additional upgrades to the cardiac catheterization and electrophysiology labs.

“President (Joe) Biden recently announced that on May 11 he will end the COVID-19 national emergency and public health emergency declarations,” said USDA Rural Development State Director Jane Asselta. “The past nearly three years have taught us of the critical need to invest in our rural healthcare infrastructure and of the impact that accessible, quality healthcare has on the well-being of our neighbors living in small towns.”

“The USDA Rural Development New Jersey team is proud to continue to invest in and support the work of the employees at Deborah in their mission of providing outstanding care to those that come through their doors. And we are thrilled to make our first investment in Shore Medical Center and support their dedicated staff in their pursuit of providing the highest quality of care for their patients from the Atlantic County region.”

Public Notice for New License Applicant. Take notice that Len Griffin, trading as Hal-dee Farms, has applied to the Director of the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control for a farm winery license for

HAULING

ANYTHING, WE HAUL IT. ATTICS, BASEMENTS, DEMOLITIONS, SHEDS REMOVED, POOLS REMOVED, SPACEPLACES CLEANED OUT, ETC. CALL 609-694-9356.

Household appliances. Televisions, furniture, etc. for disposal or transport. Garage and yard cleanups along with lawn cutting and gutter cleaning. Free estimates. Call or Text Bob at 1-609-880-3789.

March

Trip to Casino Resorts Location: Lumberton/Tabernacle

Details: The Pinelands Young at Heart Senior Club is sponsoring monthly casino trips to Atlantic City Resorts on the third Tuesday of each month. The price is $35, with $20 back to play at the casinos. The first pickup is at 8:30 a.m., at the Lumberton Plaza, TD Bank parking lot. The second pick-up is at 9 a.m., at the Old Squad Building on Hawkins Rd. in Tabernacle. Enjoy drawings and Bingo games on the trip. Snacks and water are included. For more information, call JoAnn at 609-268-8951.