Fortune magazine named Merck, Hackensack Meridian Health and Atlantic Health System among the country’s 100 best companies to work for in its latest such list, released April 2.

Merck earned the highest rank among the New Jersey companies, at No. 68. HMH came it at No. 72 and Atlantic Health ranked 83rd. Merck and Atlantic Health also made last year’s list, while HMH made its debut in 2025.

McLean, Va.-based Hilton topped the Fortune list.

Hackensack Meridian Health CEO Robert Garrett called the ranking “another great accomplishment from our our team.” He noted the health system’s previous recognition as among the best health care providers to work for, but the ranking among all U.S. companies is particularly exciting.

“There’s a strong correlation between a strong culture and excellent patient care,” Garrett told NJBIZ. “If you’re a patient, you can feel that.”

‘A pursuit of excellence’

The Fortune list is compiled based on confidential input from more than 1.3 million employees in the U.S., which is matched against human resources data from participating companies. The only companies that make the list are those with high responses across 60 survey statements that comprise the Trust Index Survey. The 100 Best Companies to Work For list honors businesses that build a high-trust workplace environment. A proprietary survey platform developed by Great Place to Work, a research and analysis company that bills itself as an authority on workplace culture, measures the assessment.

Garrett said the HMH ranking reflects its staff’s commitment to the full spectrum of health care the system provides. “I think they see a pursuit of excellence, a pursuit of innovation. Innovation is right in our vision statement. And I think a lot of team members really like to work in an innovative organization where their ideas, their creativity on the front lines of health care is recognized,” he said.

“I think we also stand for academic excellence, with our own medical school, with three nursing schools within our health system. And partnerships with many other prestigious schools,” Garrett added. “I think they see education and academics as a big piece of what we do at Hackensack Meridian Health. Some enjoy the research as well. I mean, we have a big research institute that is not just for physician research. It’s also for nursing research which is supported.”

One HMH staff member quoted by Great Place to Work said they liked working there so much they hoped to stay until retirement. “It’s wonderful,” this person gushed. “My team, my manager, being able to work from home three days a week, being trusted and not micro-managed.”

Finding balance

A Merck employee also cited flexibility. The worker said they started at the company on a four-day work assignment, which then turned into a 25-year career.

“As long as you have the drive and determination, your career at this company can make an impact and can grow significantly. They provide many tools and opportunities, but it is up to the employee to leverage them,” this person said. “I have a disabled husband who I have to take care of financially and physically and this company has always been flexible and supportive which allows me to maintain a great work/life balance and still efficiently get work done.”

At Atlantic Health, an employee said the company “truly cares” about its team members. “It strongly encourages and supports professional development and provides amazing opportunities for growth. I will never work for any other company,” this person said.