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Hackensack Meridian Health and Summit Health are joining forces to expand access to high-quality care across northern New Jersey.

According to a May 17 announcement, the state’s largest health care network and the Berkeley Heights-based medical practice signed a letter of intent for a collaboration that allows Summit Health physicians to treat patients at Hackensack University Medical Center, serving Bergen, Hudson, Essex and Passaic counties.

“Hackensack Meridian Health and Summit Health will enhance the quality, timeliness, and continuity of care for our patients, ensuring they receive the best care when and where they need it most,” Robert Garrett, CEO of Hackensack Meridian Health, said in a statement.

Summit Health CEO Jeff Alter, who recently outlined that health care provider’s expansion plans with NJBIZ, echoed the sentiment.

As part of the collaboration:

• Summit Health specialists in thoracic, neurosurgery, cardiology and urology will become members of the medical staff at Hackensack University Medical Center and will be able to perform complex surgeries and procedures there;
• Hackensack Meridian Health residents and physicians’ assistants will rotate through Summit Health offices as part of their clinical education; and
• The partners will identify opportunities for patients to receive coordinated home care, behavioral health (including crisis intervention and addiction services) and bone marrow transplants.

Hackensack University Medical Center, the network’s academic flagship, was named No. 2 on NJBIZ’s most recent list of New Jersey’s top hospitals and also made Newsweek’s list of the World’s Best Hospitals.

A joint steering committee will meet bi-monthly to evaluate and expand upon the partnership, the statement said.

Editor’s note: This headline was updated at 7:35 a.m. EDT May 19 to clarify that the organizations are forming a collaboration.