List of best hospitals in New Jersey released. See where your hospital ranks

Hackensack University Medical Center has once again been named the top hospital in the state, according to a list by U.S. News & World Report of the best hospitals in New Jersey.

The hospital regained the No. 1 spot on the publication’s annual list last year, moving past Morristown Medical Center, which had been named the top hospital in the state the previous five years (tied with HUMC in 2021) and is again ranked No. 2 this year.

The Valley Hospital, which moved from its Ridgewood campus to Paramus earlier this year, made the list of best hospitals in the state at No. 3. The list was released on Tuesday.

Jersey Shore University Medical Center, also part of the Hackensack Meridian health system, was ranked fourth in the state and named the number one children’s hospital.

“Hackensack Meridian Health is incredibly proud to have the top hospital in New Jersey once again and two hospitals ranked in the top four in New Jersey by U.S. News and World Report,” said Robert Garrett, Hackensack Meridian Health CEO. “As New Jersey’s largest health network, we are committed to providing patients with the highest quality, life-changing care. This recognition underscores the dedication of our world-class team members who work tirelessly to provide exceptional, compassionate care year after year.”

The rankings are based on analysis by data journalists of millions of hospital visits and admissions to identify the best hospitals in the country. The publication evaluates more than 5,000 hospitals each year.

Hackensack University Medical Center was ranked No. 5 overall in the New York Metropolitan area. In addition, Hackensack’s John Theurer Cancer Center was named the best cancer center in New Jersey and among the top 50 cancer centers in the nation.

The hospital was also recognized for 17 high-performing procedures and conditions and was nationally ranked in eight specialties: cancer, cardiology, heart and vascular surgery, diabetes and endocrinology, geriatrics, neurology and neurosurgery, orthopedics, pulmonology and lung surgery and urology.

Mark Sparta, president of Hackensack Meridian Health, north region, said the hospital will continue to advance quality care for patients with advanced technology and “world-class team members.”

“We are elevating the patient experience by delivering personalized, exceptional care, and we look forward to meeting the growing needs of the communities we serve,” he said.

The nonprofit teaching and research hospital expanded in Hackensack last year with the opening of the nine-story, 530,000-square-foot Helena Theurer Pavilion, with 24 operating rooms, 72 operative preparation and recovery beds, 50 intensive care beds and 175 private medical and surgical beds.

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In May, the Leapfrog Group, an independent national watchdog of hospital quality, released its report rating hospitals for patient safety. New Jersey hospitals ranked third in the nation in the percentage of hospitals that received an "A" grade by reducing the number of preventable medical errors, accidents, injuries and infections in that report.

Among local hospitals, Hackensack University Medical Center, Holy Name Medical Center in Teaneck, Englewood Hospital and Medical Center, The Valley Hospital and Morristown Medical Center all received “A” grades.

Pascack Valley Medical Center in Westwood was rated with a “B” grade in that report.