Hackensack Meridian Children’s Health — which includes Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital at Hackensack University Medical Center and K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital at Jersey Shore University Medical Center — have been ranked as the top children’s hospitals in New Jersey by U.S. News & World Report for the third year in a row, it was announced Wednesday morning.
The two hospitals were filed together under one program.
The Bristol Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, the lead of a four-hospital grouping, was ranked No. 2.
The Bristol Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital also provides care at three other RWJBarnabas Health hospitals: Children’s Hospital of New Jersey at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, McMullen Children’s Center at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center, and Unterberg Children’s Hospital at Monmouth Medical Center.
U.S. News & World Report determines the annual Best Children’s Hospital Rankings by gathering key clinical data from nearly 200 medical centers through a detailed survey examining patient safety, infection prevention and adequacy of nurse staffing. Part of each hospital’s score is derived from surveys of more than 15,000 pediatric specialists who are asked where they would send the sickest children in their specialty.
The two hospital groups also were ranked in the Top 50 of numerous specialty categories:
Hackensack Meridian Children’s Health:
- Pediatric nephrology (No. 36);
- Pediatric neurology and neurosurgery (No. 39);
- Pediatric cancer (No. 45);
- Pediatric urology (No. 45).
The Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital:
- Pediatric orthopedics (No. 34);
- Pediatric urology (No. 47).
For their overall efforts, Hackensack was ranked No. 10 in the Mid-Atlantic Region, while BMS Children’s was ranked No. 15.
(See the complete list here.)
Top leaders in both organizations were pleased with the results.
“From novel treatment therapies for complex and rare diseases, to state-of-the-art technology and surgical techniques and innovative clinical research, Hackensack Meridian Children’s Health is leading a transformation in children’s health care in New Jersey,” Dr. Judy Aschner, physician in chief of Hackensack Meridian Children’s Health and Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital, said.
Dr. Amy Murtha, dean of the Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, said the recognition is the result of the strong partnerships that exist across the RWJBarnabas Health system and Rutgers University to advance pediatric care in the region.
“Through this unique collaboration, our pediatric experts provide children and families with access to advanced research, innovation and technology to address the most complex pediatric medical conditions while increasing access to services that enhance childhood wellness,” she said.
Dr. Andy Anderson, chief medical and quality officer at RWJBarnabas Health and interim chief medical and quality officer at RWJUH, agreed.
“Earning these outstanding national recognitions in pediatric orthopedics and urology is the direct result of a shared commitment among our physicians, nurses and staff across our entire Children’s Health network to provide families with comprehensive and quality care,” he said.
Dr. Harpreet Pall, chair of pediatrics at K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital and Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, said the children are the true winners.
“It is a privilege and an honor to care for so many children across our communities,” he said. “Our team members are dedicated to providing the best family-centered care, and we are so grateful for everything they do each day to change children’s lives in extraordinary ways.”
The top five children’s hospitals nationally:
- Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center;
- Boston Children’s Hospital;
- Texas Children’s Hospital (Houston);
- Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia;
- Children’s National Hospital (Washington, D.C.).
