NJ's best hospitals: No. 1 Hackensack Meridian and others celebrate U.S. News success

U.S. News & World Report evaluated 97 hospitals in New Jersey for its 2024-2025 Best Hospitals feature. Eight achieved "Best Hospital" status on the list released July 16.

Nationwide, the publication looked at nearly 5,000 hospitals. According to U.S. News, just 11% of evaluated facilities earned the badge. The recognition designates excellence in factors such as clinical outcomes, level of nursing care and patient experience.

Here's a closer look at some of the accolades awarded to the Garden State's top providers. Find our initial coverage of the feature , and more information, here.

Hackensack Meridian Health

Hackensack Meridian Health Hackensack University Medical Center took the top spot on the New Jersey Best Hospitals ranking for the second year in a row. However, the Hackensack facility also earned distinction as the No. 1 children's hospital in the state for Hackensack Meridian Health JM Sanzari and K Hovnanian Children’s Hospitals.

Hackensack University Medical Center was also recognized for 17 high performing Procedures and Conditions.

Altogether, HMH has 18 hospitals and more than 500 patient care locations. Its team boasts more than 35,000 members and 7,000 physicians.

Hackensack Meridian JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute was No. 33 in the nation for rehabilitation. The appearance marks its sixth consecutive among the county's top 50.

 

“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. 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.”

Robert

, chief executive officer, Hackensack Meridian Health

JSUMC

Jersey Shore University Medical Center marked its 12th straight year among New Jersey’s top 10 hospitals on this year's list. Along with other distinctions, the hospital earned high performing in specialties including Orthopedics, Cardiology, Heart & Vascular Surgery, Geriatrics, and Pulmonology & Lung Surgery.

“As New Jersey’s top hospital, Hackensack University Medical Center will continue to advance quality care for all of our patients. With world-class team members and cutting-edge technology, 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. ”

Mark Sparta , president, North Region, Hackensack Meridian Health

“Our innovative approach to healthcare delivery and commitment to improving patient outcomes is at the core of what we do at Hackensack Meridian Health. We will continue to raise the bar and pioneer new standards of excellence in care, ensuring we provide the best healthcare experience for our patients. Congratulations to all team members and physicians for this outstanding recognition of their dedication to clinical excellence and compassionate care for every patient, every day.”

Dr. Jose Azar , executive vice president and chief quality officer, Hackensack Meridian Health

Atlantic Health System

With 20,000 team members and 5,440 affiliated physicians, Atlantic Health System serves more than half of the state, including 14 counties and 7.5 million people. In addition to the No. 2- and No. 5-ranked Morristown Medical Center and Overlook Medical Center, respectively, AHS partner CentraState Medical Center also earned praise.

Beyond recognition for its ranking, Morristown Medical Center also earned the "high performing" designation in three adult specialties: Geriatrics, Neurology & Neurosurgery, and Pulmonology & Lung Cancer.

It was also high performing in 19 common adult procedures and conditions: Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair, Aortic Valve Surgery, COPD, Colon Cancer Surgery, Diabetes, Gynecological Cancer Surgery, Heart Attack, Heart Bypass Surgery, Heart Failure, Hip Fracture, Hip Replacement, Kidney Failure, Knee Replacement, Leukemia, Lymphoma & Myeloma, Lung Cancer Surgery, Pneumonia, Prostate Cancer Surgery, Stroke and TAVR (transcatheter aortic valve replacement).

“Our patients always come first, and these results illustrate our ongoing commitment to providing the highest quality, innovative and most advanced care. This recognition highlights our exceptional team of medical, clinical, and support professionals who are among the very best in the nation. I am incredibly proud of everyone at Morristown for achieving these outstanding accomplishments.”

Trish O'Keefe, president, Morristown Medical Center

Overlook

Overlook was recognized as high performing in four adult specialties: Gastroenterology and GI Surgery, Neurology and Neurosurgery, Orthopedics and Urology. It received the label in 10 common adult procedures and conditions: Colon Cancer Surgery, COPD, Heart Attack, Heart Failure, Hip Fracture, Kidney Failure, Knee Replacement, Leukemia, Lymphoma & Myeloma, Pneumonia and Stroke.

“Overlook’s commitment to high quality care and superior outcomes continue to shine in these consistently high rankings. They are a testament to the way our team strives every day to innovate and raise the level of care that we deliver to patients. We are dedicated to enhancing the experience patients and their loved ones receive at Overlook.”

Stephanie Schwartz , president, Overlook Medical Center

CentraState

U.S. News recognized CentraState Medical Center as high performing in three adult procedures and conditions: COPD, Pneumonia and Stroke. AHS also highlighted achievements for Newton Medical Center and Hackettstown Medical Center. The former was high performing in two areas, COPD and Stroke, and the latter received one high performing rating: Kidney Failure.

“These outstanding national and regional rankings demonstrate Atlantic Health System’s commitment to providing the highest possible care to our communities. My gratitude goes out to every member of our dedicated team for the passion, talent and innovation they bring to work every day on behalf of our patients and their families.”

Brian

, president and CEO, Atlantic Health System

Valley Health System

Valley Health in Ridgewood ( now Paramus ) earned the high performing rating in 16 adult procedures and conditions: Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair; COPD; Colon Cancer Surgery; Gynecological Cancer Surgery; Heart Attack; Heart Bypass Surgery; Heart Failure; Hip Fracture; Hip Replacement; Kidney Failure; Knee Replacement; Leukemia, Lymphoma, and Myeloma; Lung Cancer Surgery; Pneumonia; Stroke; and TAVR.

For Specialties, Valley was high performing in Orthopedics and Urology.

“These distinctions are a reflection of Valley’s longstanding commitment to providing high-quality clinical care and service. I would like to recognize our dedicated staff for all that they do each day to care for our patients and their families. I would also like to thank our community for choosing Valley for their healthcare.”

Dr. Robert

, president and CEO, Valley Health System

 

RWJBarnabas Health

Ranked No. 22 in the New York-metro area, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital earned the specialty high performing banner in Cancer.

RWJUH, an RWJBarnabas Health Facility, is a 628-bed academic medical center. It is New Jersey’s largest academic medical center through its partnership with Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. RWJUH is also the flagship Cancer Hospital of Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey and The Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital. The latter is a nationally ranked 2023-24 Best Children’s Hospital by U.S. News & World Report.

The New Brunswick facility was high performing in 11 conditions: Aortic Valve Surgery, COPD, Colon Cancer Surgery, Gynecologic Cancer Surgery, Heart Bypass Surgery, Heart Failure, Kidney Failure, Leukemia, Lymphoma & Myeloma, Lung Cancer Surgery, Prostate Cancer Surgery and TAVR.

RWJUH was also high performing on the U.S. News & World Report Maternity Care for 2023-2024 .

“Of the 113 hospitals in New Jersey, we are honored to be one of only eight recognized as a Best Regional Hospital for 2024-25 by U.S. News & World Report, and to again rank #22 in the NY Metropolitan Area. As the anchor of our academic medical system and through our robust partnerships with Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and Rutgers Cancer Institute, New Jersey’s only NCI-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, RWJUH addresses the most complex medical conditions and offers the most high-acuity services in the state and region including serving as one of only three state-designated Level 1 Trauma Centers. I commend the RWJUH team on this achievement and thank them for their hard work and dedication.”

Bill

, CEO, RWJUH

MSK

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center ranked as the best cancer center in the Northeast on the U.S. News list.

It was also the No. 2 cancer hospital in the nation, and the No. 1 for urology care. MSK has maintained its position as a top-two cancer hospital in the U.S. and the best cancer center in the Northeast since these rankings launched 35 years ago.

MSK has three locations in New Jersey: Basking Ridge, Montvale and Middletown.

This latest top ranking comes along with other recognition for MSK experts due to their groundbreaking contributions to cancer research, patient care and education. These achievements include:

• Discovering new ways to treat a relentless type of leukemia,



• Harnessing artificial intelligence to improve cancer care, leading research to reduce side effects and enhance quality of life for patients, and



• Spearheading the first investigational mRNA vaccine to treat pancreatic cancer.

 

In addition to disease subspecialties including urology, U.S. News also include MSK for Gastroenterology & GI surgery (No. 12) and Ear, Nose, and Throat (No. 24).

"It is an exceptional honor to be named again as a top hospital for cancer care. This recognition reflects the unmatched compassion and dedication shown by MSK’s staff as they deliver leading-edge patient care each day. Congratulations to the MSK community on this extraordinary achievement.”

Dr. Selwyn Vickers , president & CEO, MSK

Deborah Heart and Lung Center

For procedures and conditions, Deborah Heart and Lung Center in Browns Mills also received high performing honors for Heart Attack, Heart Bypass Surgery, Heart Failure, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and TAVR.

“We are honored to be named again a High Performing Hospital in five key specialties by U.S. News & World Report. Our rankings demonstrate consistent performance over multiple years, reflecting our commitment to delivering best-in-class care.”

Joseph

, president and CEO of Deborah

See the full U.S. News 2024-2025 Best Hospitals information here .

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