RWJBarnabas Health’s James and Sharon Maida Geriatrics Institute at Hamilton Recognized as an Age-Friendly Health System Committed to Care Excellence

Pictured left to right: Lashonda Carter., PSR; Wendy Veliz-Villatoro., CMA; Sara Ali, MD; Bianca Estropia, DO; Bhavik Mehta, Nurse Practitioner; and not pictured Jessica Villalobos-Garcia, CMA, RWJ Medical Associates Hamilton and Primary Care Express, an RWJBarnabas Health Medical Group Practice.

Hamilton, NJ, January 2026 - James and Sharon Maida Geriatrics Institute at Hamilton, led by Sara Ali, MD, Geriatric Medicine, a part of RWJBarnabas Health Medical Group, have been formally recognized as an Age-Friendly Health System Committed to Care Excellence, a national designation that honors health care organizations dedicated to delivering high-quality evidence-based care to older adults.

This recognition reflects the organization's continued leadership in the Age-Friendly Health Systems movement and its commitment to providing care that is reliable, respectful, and aligned with what matters most to older adults. The designation is awarded by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) to health systems that demonstrate excellence in implementing age-friendly care principles.

"This designation reflects our ongoing commitment to delivering high-quality, patient-centered care across every stage of life," said Michael Prilutsky, President & CEO of RWJBarnabas Health Medical Group. "We are proud of the James and Sharon Maida Geriatrics Institute for advancing age-friendly care that supports older adults and the communities we serve."

As part of this recognition, James and Sharon Maida Geriatrics Institute at Hamilton will be included in IHI-generated communications, including press releases and recognition on https://www.ihi.org/AgeFriendly.

"Achieving Level 2 Age-Friendly Health System recognition for our Geriatric Medical Group Practice is a meaningful milestone and a powerful reflection of who we are as organization," says Lisa Breza, Chief Administrative Officer, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton (RWJUH Hamilton), an RWJBarnabas Health facility. "Recognition by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) for care excellence for older adults now across both our hospital and medical group practice reflects strong alignment throughout our continuum of care and ensures patients receive compassionate, coordinated experience wherever they access our services." RWJUH Hamilton achieved Level 2 recognition in 2025.

"This recognition reflects our commitment to provide reliable, respectable, and evidence-based care that aligns with what matters most to older adults", said Dr. Ali. "Our team is proud to continue advancing age-friendly care for the communities we serve."

Dr. Ali, and the extended team at James and Sharon Maida Geriatrics Institute at Hamilton, look forward to continuing its partnership with IHI and further strengthening care for older adults across the communities it serves.

James and Sharon Maida Geriatrics Institute at Hamilton is located at the 3100 Quakerbridge Road, Hamilton, NJ 08619. For appointments, please call .

About RWJBarnabas Health

RWJBarnabas Health is New Jersey's largest and most comprehensive academic health system, caring for more than five million people annually. Nationally renowned for quality and safety, the system includes 14 hospitals, and 9,000 affiliated physicians integrated to provide care at more than 700 patient care locations.

RWJBarnabas Health partners with its diverse communities to build and sustain a healthier New Jersey. It provides patient-centered care in a compassionate and equitable manner and is the state's largest safety-net provider and leader in addressing the social determinants of health. RWJBarnabas Health provides food to the hungry, housing for the homeless and economic opportunities to those most vulnerable.

RWJBarnabas Health's commitment to enhancing access to care includes a transformative partnership with Rutgers University, including the Rutgers Cancer Institute - the state's only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.

RWJBarnabas Health is among New Jersey's largest private employers, with more than 43,000 employees, contributing more than $5.5 billion to the state economy every year. For more information, visit https://www.RWJBH.org.

About RWJBarnabas Health Medical Group

RWJBarnabas Health Medical Group is a multispecialty group practice comprised of over 2,500 highly skilled and experienced world class primary and specialty care providers. Our providers offer compassionate and innovative cutting-edge care for people at every stage of life at easily accessible facilities conveniently located throughout New Jersey. RWJBarnabas Health Medical Group is ranked as the fourth largest medical group in the nation Becker's ACS Review in 2023. Backed by the vast continuum of resources throughout RWJBarnabas Health and Rutgers Health, our dedicated providers and expertly trained supporting staff continuously strive for clinical and academic excellence. For more information, visit rwjbh.org/medicalgroup.

About Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton

Located in Hamilton Township, NJ, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton (RWJUH Hamilton), an RWJBarnabas Health facility, serves Mercer County as well as a larger five-county region of New Jersey. RWJBarnabas Health and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton's Cancer Center, in partnership with Rutgers Cancer Institute - the state's only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center - brings a world-class team of researchers and specialists to its cancer center, providing close-to-home access to the latest treatment and clinical trials. RWJUH Hamilton is Joint Commission Certified, Primary Stroke Center Certified from The Joint Commission, and a Center for Excellence from The Joint Commission for stroke, spine surgery and hip and knee replacement and is MAGNET® Recognized from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).

RWJUH Hamilton's other specialties include heart and vascular care, including emergency and elective angioplasty, heart failure intervention program, coupled with the specialty-trained support staff, treatment and care for minor injuries and life-threatening illnesses, outpatient diagnostic and treatment services and medical/surgical services, bariatric surgery, wound care, women's health, geriatrics/ senior health and wellness care, infusion services, outpatient rehabilitation and physical therapy centers, including cardiac rehab, orthopedic rehab, speech therapy, aquatic therapy, a balance and hearing center and sleep center. Visit rwjbh.org/Hamilton.

Media Contact:Lina Allocca [email protected]