University Hospital Newark Receives $600,000 Award to Expand its Nationally Recognized Liver Transplant Center

Funding from The Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey will support a major renovation to expand University Hospital’s life-saving liver transplantation program

Newark, NJ — January 15, 2026 — University Hospital announced receipt of a $600,000 gift from The Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey (HFNJ) to support expansion of the hospital’s state-of-the-art Advanced Liver Disease & Transplantation Center. HFNJ’s investment in University Hospital will significantly expand access to advanced liver care and transplantation services for patients in Newark and across the region.

“Liver disease impacts far too many lives across our region,” said Carole Johnson, President & CEO of University Hospital. “We are grateful for the Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey’s gift, which recognizes the critical role that University Hospital plays in treating liver disease, providing life-sustaining transplants, and preventing death and disability.  Expanding our Liver Center will help us meet the growing need for our lifesaving, high quality liver care.”

University Hospital’s Advanced Liver Disease & Transplantation Center is nationally recognized for its patient outcomes by the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients. This important gift will help University Hospital’s Liver Center expand transplant capacity, clinics, modern procedure suites, and space for patient education and family support – all designed to enhance patients’ experience and clinical care.

“The Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey is proud to support University Hospital and its nationally recognized Liver Center,” said Michael Schmidt, Executive Director & CEO of The Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey. “This investment reflects our Foundation’s dedication to reducing disparities and improving access across the greater Newark area to quality, affordable healthcare.”

Construction on the new Liver Center is underway and expected to be completed in the spring. As University Hospital continues to advance its multi-phase master plan to expand and modernize its shared campus with Rutgers Health, further improvements to the hospital campus will be made to refresh patient areas.

“Liver disease presents a significant health challenge that disproportionately affects underserved populations, including many University Hospital patients. By expanding capacity and modernizing facilities, our new center will help address disparities while maintaining our exceptional outcomes,” said Dr. Paul Gaglio, University Hospital Liver Transplantation Medical Director and Rutgers New Jersey Medical School Professor of Medicine. “This project will also strengthen the hospital’s role as a teaching and research institution, training the next generation of hepatologists, surgeons, and transplant specialists while advancing best practices in liver disease treatment.”

University Hospital Newark is among New Jersey’s leading academic medical centers and the only public acute care hospital in the state. As the principal teaching hospital for Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, University Hospital is a regional resource for advanced care, a Level I Trauma Center, and a hub for innovation and community health.