CAMDEN, N.J. — Virtua Health has reached a significant construction milestone at its Haddon Avenue campus, marking the structural completion of the new Marvin Samson Pavilion at Virtua Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital. On June 9, construction crews hoisted the final steel beam into place, signifying the “topping-out” of the seven-story, 200,000-square-foot facility. This project represents a $500 million investment in regional healthcare infrastructure and is currently slated for completion in the spring of 2028, according to official statements from Virtua Health.
The expansion is designed to increase the hospital’s total footprint by 35%, effectively modernizing the facility’s entrance and concentrating high-acuity care in a centralized tower. Six of the building’s seven floors will be dedicated to clinical patient care, featuring 78 private patient rooms, 10 operating rooms, and specialized suites for neuro-surgical stroke intervention. This investment is part of a broader effort to bolster specialized services, including cardiovascular care and organ transplantation, which are already established pillars of the hospital’s clinical mission.
Project Scope and Clinical Infrastructure
The Marvin Samson Pavilion serves as the centerpiece of a multi-year renovation plan aimed at transitioning the hospital toward a more private, specialized care model. The facility will house eight cardiac catheterization labs, three electrophysiology labs, and two gastrointestinal endoscopy rooms. To support these surgical capabilities, the design includes 40 surgical prep and recovery rooms, as well as a centralized post-anesthesia care unit comprising 40 adaptable patient bays. These additions are intended to support the hospital’s existing partnership with Penn Medicine for neurosciences, as reported by the health system’s public affairs office.
The project follows recent improvements at the Haddon Avenue site, including the opening of a dedicated Neurosciences Intensive Care Unit and the renovation of the facility’s Mother-Baby Unit. By consolidating these services, leadership aims to streamline the patient experience and improve operational efficiency across the campus. The design and construction team includes L.F. Driscoll Company as the contractor and Array Architects, among other engineering partners responsible for the structural and mechanical integration of the new tower.
Philanthropic Support and Community Impact
The pavilion is named in honor of Marvin Samson, a businessman and longtime Virtua board member. Samson’s involvement extends beyond the naming rights of the facility; he has pledged $5 million to support the health system’s workforce development and education initiatives. Virtua Health officials have noted that this contribution represents the largest single gift in the organization’s history, according to Virtua Health’s internal records.
During the June 9 ceremony, more than 100 guests, including local elected officials and hospital leadership, gathered to observe the placement of the final 700-pound steel beam. The event included a blessing by the Rev. Jon Peter Thomas, vicar general for the Diocese of Camden. The ceremony served to highlight the institution’s ongoing role in Camden’s healthcare landscape, with CEO Dennis W. Pullin emphasizing that the new space is intended to reflect the “exceptional work” of the hospital’s clinicians and staff.
Future Timeline and Development
With the structural topping-out completed, the project now moves into the interior fit-out and systems integration phase. The 2028 completion date remains the target for opening the pavilion to the public, at which point it will serve as the hospital’s new main entrance. The transition is expected to provide a more “uplifting and welcoming” environment for patients and their families, according to Lisa Ferraro, RN, Senior Vice President of Virtua Health and President of Virtua Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital.
As construction continues over the next several years, the hospital will maintain operations across its existing specialized departments. Patients and community members seeking updates on the construction progress or information regarding current services can find periodic disclosures through the official Virtua Our Lady of Lourdes hospital portal. Further milestones, including the completion of the exterior facade and the installation of medical equipment, are expected to be announced as the project approaches its 2028 operational launch.