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The basics:

• Healthgrades honored 12 New Jersey hospitals among its top 250
• Two New Jersey hospitals ranked among America’s 50 Best Hospitals
• Five Garden State facilities earned spots in the top 100
• Rankings were based on clinical outcomes from Medicare inpatient data

Healthgrades has honored 250 health care providers across the nation with the 2026 America’s Best Hospitals Awards.  

The honorees represent the top 5%, 2% and 1% of hospitals nationwide and are listed among the top 250, 100 and 50 facilities in the U.S. 

Of those named to the top 250, 12 are based in New Jersey. Five of these hospitals landed in the top 100 list, and two were named among the best 50 in the nation. 

To determine this year’s top hospitals, Healthgrades evaluated clinical performance for about 4,500 hospitals across more than 30 common procedures and conditions, the website said in the Jan. 27 unveiling. 

Healthgrades evaluates Medicare inpatient data from the Medicare Provider Analysis and Review file from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for 2022 through 2024. 

“This year’s America’s Best Hospitals list gives patients a clearer picture of where high-quality care is delivered most consistently, helping them understand their options and feel confident in choosing the care that’s right for them,” Dr. Alana Biggers, medical advisor at Healthgrades, said in a statement.

And the honorees are … 

Healthgrades named the following hospitals in New Jersey among America’s Best Hospitals for 2026 (those listed in the top 50 and top 100 also made the top 250 list): 

America’s 50 Best Hospitals

• Morristown Medical Center, Morristown, Atlantic Health System 
• Overlook Medical Center, Summit, Atlantic Health System 

America’s 100 Best Hospitals

• Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center, Livingston, RWJBarnabas Health 
• Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Neptune, Hackensack Meridian Health 
• Valley Hospital, Paramus, Valley Health System 

America’s 250 Best Hospitals 

• Bayshore Medical Center, Holmdel, Hackensack Meridian Health 
• Chilton Medical Center, Pompton Plains, Atlantic Health System 
• Hackensack University Medical Center, Hackensack, Hackensack Meridian Health 
• Ocean University Medical Center, Brick, Hackensack Meridian Health 
• Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center, Plainsboro, Penn Medicine 
• Riverview Medical Center, Red Bank, Hackensack Meridian Health 
• Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset, Somerville, RWJBarnabas Health 

Year-to-year comparison

While the list includes repeat honorees from 2025 – and previous years – there are a few changes. 

Bayshore Medical Center returned to the rankings this year. Additionally, Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center jumped into the top 100 list for 2026. 

Staff celebrations

Atlantic Health celebrated its three medical centers that made the grade. 

“These recognitions reinforce what Atlantic Health patients experience every day – our unwavering commitment to deliver safe, high-quality care,” Saad Ehtisham, president and CEO of Atlantic Health, said in a statement. “I commend each of our clinicians and every member of our team on their tireless efforts to raise the standard for quality across New Jersey and throughout the nation.” 

Atlantic Health noted this is the third consecutive year that Morristown and Overlook medical centers were the only two hospitals in New Jersey named among America’s 50 Best Hospitals. 

Morristown Medical Center and Overlook Medical Center have been included in the 50 Best Hospitals for the 11th consecutive and seventh consecutive year, respectively, the network added. 

Valley Health Care also announced its standings in a press release, noting Valley Hospital has been honored with America’s 100 Best Hospital Award for four years in a row. Valley Health noted it is the only hospital in Bergen County to receive the award. 

“It is an honor to be recognized by Healthgrades as one of America’s 100 Best Hospitals for a fourth time, particularly in our 75th anniversary year,” Dr. Robert Brenner, president and CEO of Valley Health. “This award underscores Valley’s dedication to high-quality care for the communities we serve.”

First-timer

RWJBarnabas Health shared an announcement about its hospitals Feb. 11. The network noted this was the first time Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center earned a spot on the America’s 100 Best Hospitals list, while RWJUH Somerset was included on America’s 250 Best Hospitals list for the third year in a row.

“At RWJBarnabas Health, we pride ourselves on delivering exceptional care to all our patients and their families across our system,” said Dr. Andy Anderson, executive vice president and chief medical and quality officer, RWJBarnabas Health. “CBMC and RWJUH Somerset’s recognition on Healthgrades’ Best Hospitals lists highlights the outstanding clinical outcomes our teams achieve, and is a testament to our physicians, nurses, and care teams’ commitment to maintaining our patients’ health and wellbeing.”

Editor’s note: This story was updated at 11:52 a.m. Jan. 28, 2026, to list Valley Hospital’s new location in Paramus. It was later updated at 12:50 p.m. Feb. 11 with a newly released statement from RWJBarnabas Health.