West Orange, NJ, July 14, 2026 - RWJBarnabas Health, the largest, most comprehensive academic health system in New Jersey, today announced that five of its hospitals have been recognized by Becker's Hospital Review and included in its list of "100 Great Community Hospitals" for 2026. They are:

• Clara Maass Medical Center - Founded in 1868, Clara Maass is a 472-bed acute care hospital serving residents across four New Jersey counties with nationally recognized programs in cardiovascular care, cancer, women's health, neonatal care, and other specialty services. The medical center is investing $4.3 million to renovate its cardiac catheterization laboratory and recently received a $400,000 grant to install advanced Philips Azurion imaging technology that enhances complex cardiac and vascular procedures. Clara Maass is also a leader in community health through its Center of Excellence for Latino Health, the Clara Cares program for seniors, and the WAVE wellness initiative, which improve access to care and help reduce hospital admissions. Recognized for excellence in quality and patient safety, the hospital has earned a 4-star CMS rating, 12 Leapfrog "A" safety grades, multiple Joint Commission Gold Seal certifications, and was named one of Money.com's Best Hospitals for Bariatric Surgery.

• Jersey City Medical Center - A 348-bed acute care hospital, JCMC has served Hudson County for more than 140 years. As the region's state-designated trauma center and the county's only provider of open-heart surgery, the medical center continues to expand access to advanced care through a $100 million emergency department expansion, a dedicated pediatric emergency department, and the region's first hybrid operating suites with full robotic surgery capabilities. The hospital is also a leader in community health, with innovative programs such as its Food FARMacy, which addresses food insecurity among patients with chronic conditions, and an emergency medical services program that was the first in the nation to earn triple accreditation in dispatch, education, and emergency medical services. Recognized for excellence in quality, innovation, and patient care, Jersey City Medical Center has earned four consecutive Magnet designations, has been recognized as a Leader in LGBTQ Healthcare Equality since 2014, and was recently named a Best Hospital for Maternity Care by U.S. News & World Report, one of Newsweek's America's Best Maternity Care Hospitals, and among Healthgrades' America's 50 Best Hospitals for Outpatient Prostate Care.

• Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton - A 287-bed acute care hospital, RWJUH Hamilton traces its roots to Trenton General Hospital, founded in 1941. A regional leader in cancer and orthopedic care, the hospital partners with Rutgers Cancer Institute-the state's only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center-to provide advanced treatments and clinical trials close to home, while its orthopedic program is the only one in the capital region nationally certified by The Joint Commission in knee, hip, and spine surgery. Recent investments include New Jersey's first integrated primary and behavioral health clinic for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and autism, a new state-of-the-art cardiac catheterization laboratory, and a helistop that expands critical patient transfer capabilities. Recognized for excellence in quality and patient safety, RWJUH Hamilton has earned 17 Leapfrog "A" safety grades, two Leapfrog Top General Hospital designations, Magnet Recognition, and was among the first New Jersey hospitals to receive the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award.

• Robert Wood Johnson University Rahway - A 212-bed community hospital, RWJUH Rahway has provided high-quality, patient-centered care to Union County and the surrounding region for more than 110 years. The hospital offers comprehensive emergency, surgical, specialty, and outpatient services and recently expanded access to coordinated care through a new multispecialty outpatient center featuring cardiology, pulmonology, and general surgery, while continuing to invest in advanced technologies, including an upgraded da Vinci Xi robotic surgical system and a new cystoscopy suite. RWJUH Rahway also maintains nationally recognized cardiac, stroke, bariatric, wound care, and diabetes programs that support exceptional clinical outcomes. The hospital has earned nine consecutive Leapfrog "A" safety grades, Joint Commission Primary Stroke Center certification, American College of Cardiology Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory accreditation, the American Heart Association's Mission: Lifeline EMS Gold Award, and recognition as a Leader in LGBTQ Healthcare Equality.

• Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset - A 343-bed acute care hospital founded in 1899, RWJUH Somerset is nationally recognized for excellence in quality, health equity, and patient-centered care. The hospital recently completed its largest campus expansion in nearly two decades, adding 45 private inpatient rooms and opening the Kalafer Family Rapid Decision Unit to improve patient flow and access to timely care. A leader in health equity and community outreach, RWJUH Somerset is home to the Babs Siperstein PROUD Center-the first in New Jersey to provide specialized primary care for LGBTQ+ adults-and the Healing Homes initiative, which provides transitional housing for patients experiencing housing instability due to illness. The hospital has earned four Magnet designations, 16 Leapfrog "A" safety grades, Healthgrades' America's 250 Best Hospitals recognition for three consecutive years, and became the first hospital in New Jersey to receive the National Committee for Quality Assurance's Health Equity Accreditation.

The community hospitals on Becker's list are lauded for their clinical excellence, compassionate care, and economic impact on their communities. The complete list of Great Community Hospitals can be found on Becker's website here.

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 communities to build and sustain a healthier New Jersey. It provides patient-centered care in a compassionate 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 45,000 employees, contributing more than $7 billion to the state economy every year. For more information, visit https://www.RWJBH.org

Contact: Carrie [email protected]