The Emergency Trauma Center at Hackensack University Medical Center said Oct. 11 that the American College of Surgeons verified its status as a Level II Trauma Center.
“I want to congratulate the entire trauma team on this well-deserved recognition,” said Mark Sparta, president and chief hospital executive, Hackensack University Medical Center and executive vice president, Population Health, Hackensack Meridian Health. “Hackensack University Medical Center is one of only 10 state-designated trauma centers and the only Level-II Trauma Center in Bergen County.”
Verified trauma centers must meet criteria that ensure trauma care capability and institutional performance, as outlined by the American College of Surgeons’ Committee on Trauma and its current Resources for Optimal Care of the Injured Patient manual.

Mark Sparta. – HACKENSACK UNIVERSITY HEALTH NETWORK
The trauma team at Hackensack University Medical Center includes eight experienced trauma surgeons who are double board certified in general surgery and trauma/surgical critical care. The trauma center also has 15 advanced practice providers, including 13 physician assistants and two nursing practitioners. Nearly three thousand patients were treated last year at Hackensack’s trauma center.
The ACS Committee on Trauma’s verification program does not designate trauma centers. Rather, the program provides confirmation that a trauma center has demonstrated its commitment to providing the highest quality trauma care for all injured patients. The actual establishment and the designation of trauma centers is the function of local, regional or state health care systems agencies, such as the local emergency medical services authority.