New Jersey came out on top in the latest Safety Grades from The Leapfrog Group, placing first in the U.S. with the most hospitals awarded A grades.

Below, see what leaders from the sector have to say about the recognition and the Spring 2023 Grades.

New Jersey Hospital Association

“This Spring’s results reflect the unwavering commitment of New Jersey’s hospitals and their teams to transparency and continuous quality improvement. We are proud of the full commitment of these teams that work each hour toward ensuring patient safety and wellbeing and the progress made across patient safety measures.”

— Cathy Bennett, president and CEO

Atlantic Health System

AHS said its five medical centers scored their highest marks ever in the spring grades–four As and a B.

“These unprecedented grades for our hospitals underscore the commitment Atlantic Health System has toward safety. It’s a clear reflection of the quality care and attention to safety that patients and their loved ones receive each day from our talented physicians, nurses, leaders and other team members across each of our medical centers.”

— Scott Leighty, executive vice president and chief health system officer

AtlantiCare

AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center’s Mainland and City campuses both earned an A grades for Spring 2023.

“We all play a role in protecting our patients. We celebrate and thank our staff and providers for their continued focus on ensuring we care for our community in a safe environment.”

— Dr. Brian Acunto, medical safety officer, ARMC

“Safety is one of AtlantiCare’s core values. We appreciate our team’s steadfast commitment to upholding this value as together we make a difference in health and healing, one person at a time.

— Larisa Goganzer, chief operating officer, ARMC

Cooper University Health Care

Cooper improved upon its fall 2022 score, moving from a B to an A in the latest grades.

“Cooper’s national recognition as a top hospital for patient safety by The Leapfrog Group is a testament to the incredible, everyday commitment of our leadership and every team member. This award, on the heels of Cooper’s receipt of its highest ratings ever from both S&P Global (A-) and Moody’s (A3), reflects the focus on excellence and patient safety that has defined Cooper for more than 135 years.”

— George Norcross III, chairman, board of trustees

“We are very proud of the Cooper team for working tirelessly to provide the highest quality of care. An academic medical center achieving a ‘Leapfrog A’ during some of the most challenging years ever experienced in health care is an outstanding achievement. We say ‘thank you’ to all of the Cooper team members who consistently provide care that is among the best in the nation.”

— Kevin O’Dowd, co-CEO

“This Leapfrog Safety Grade is a direct reflection of our team’s extraordinary and continuous focus on quality and safety and keeping our patients at the center of everything we do.”

— Dr. Anthony Mazzarelli, co-CEO

Hackensack Meridian Health

With nine facilities earning the highest mark, HMH had the most A grades of any health system in New Jersey.

“Hackensack Meridian Health is committed to providing exceptional, compassionate, safe care. This recognition from The Leapfrog Group underscores that our hospitals are the safest in New Jersey, and we are proud to have helped make New Jersey hospitals among the safest in the nation. I congratulate our world-class team members for continuing to set the bar high, exceeding industry standards, and delivering outstanding care that will improve outcomes for our patients and communities.”

— Robert Garrett, CEO

“Hackensack Meridian Health hospitals are among the safest in New Jersey and the nation. We are incredibly proud of the Hospital Safety Grades our hospitals have achieved and very grateful for our caregivers’ dedication to patient safety. We look forward to continuing to deliver strong outcomes for our patients.”

— Dr. Jose Azar, executive vice president and chief quality officer

RWJBarnabas Health

Four of RWJBarnabas facilities received A grades in the spring Safety Grades, including Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch, which the health care company said is the only southern regional facility to receive the mark for 17 consecutive rating periods.

“At RWJBarnabas Health, safety is the number one priority for everyone that comes through the doors. The hard-working staff at each facility, who day in and day out provide the best patient-centered care, also demonstrate clinical expertise and compassion. This has helped us achieve well-deserved high ratings across the system.”

— Dr. Andy Anderson, executive vice president, chief medical and quality officer

Valley Health System

The Valley Hospital’s spring A grade marked the 20th time the facility has aced the assessment. 

“We are proud to have once again received an ‘A’ for patient safety. This top grade is a result of Valley’s longstanding commitment to ensuring patient safety and providing high-quality care.”

— Audrey Meyers, president and CEO

You can find NJBIZ’s coverage of The Leapfrog Group’s Spring 2023, Hospital Safety Grades here.

Editor’s note: This story was updated on May 9, 2023, to include remarks from Hackensack Meridian Health.