The basics:

• Newsweek names 2 NJ facilities to 2026 World’s Best Smart Hospitals list
• Ranking highlights hospitals using AI, robotics, telemedicine, digital health innovation
• 4 NJ facilities also recognized on Newsweek’s World’s Best Specialized Hospitals list

Two of the World’s Best Smart Hospitals for 2026 are based right here in New Jersey, according to the latest ranking from Newsweek. 

The publication, along with data firm Statista, recognized the top 350 medical institutions across 30 countries “that are transforming health care through technology and innovation,” Newsweek said in the Sept. 10 list release. 

“Smart hospitals are leading the way in implementing systemic changes that will level up patient care into the future,” Alexis Kayser, Newsweek health care editor, said in a statement. “These institutions are not just embracing innovation for efficiency, but for improving patient lives.” 

The publication noted the top hospitals are employing technology such as artificial intelligence, automation, robotics and digital health tools to improve outcomes, streamline workflows and support disease prevention.  

The rankings were based on: 

• An international online survey of health care professionals and hospital managers 
• Statista Smart Hospitals Maturity Survey 
• Joint Commission International accreditation 

Hospitals were evaluated across 10 innovation areas, including AI, telemedicine, robotics, patient safety technologies and electronic functionalities, according to Newsweek. 

The publication also referred to a global board of medical experts for “methodological guidance to ensure accuracy and transparency.” 

Landing in the No. 1 spot was Rochester, Minn.-based Mayo Clinic. In fact, eight of the top 10 smart hospitals in the world are in the United States, according to Newsweek. 

New Jersey | Newsweek’s World’s Best Smart Hospitals: 

• No. 238: Morristown Medical Center, Morristown | Atlantic Health System 
• No. 275: Hackensack University Medical Center, Hackensack | Hackensack Meridian Health 

Repeat honorees

This is the fifth year Newsweek released the smart hospitals list. Morristown Medical Center has appeared on the ranking since at least 2023 (2022 archives were not available as of press time); it and HUMC made the cut last year, as well. 

Both facilities consistently land at the top industry rankings, including the U.S. News & World Report’s 2025-26 Best Hospitals list, released in July, as well as Newsweek’s 2025 World’s Best Hospitals list, unveiled in February. They also both made Newsweek’s World’s Best Specialized Hospitals list (see below).

Morristown Medical recently completed a $26.9 million expansion of its emergency department, which features enhanced monitoring technology, among other upgrades. 

Hackensack Meridian’s latest tech advances include partnering with Clear on “selfie”-enabled check-ins and hiring a new chief digital information officer to help further integrate AI into the entire network.

World’s Best Specialized Hospitals 

The publication simultaneously announced its lists for World’s Best Specialty Hospitals for 2026. Four New Jersey facilities made those rankings. 

Again partnering with Statista, the list highlights the leading hospitals worldwide in 12 fields. Honorees featured the top: 

• 300 hospitals for cardiology and oncology 
• 250 for pediatrics 
• 150 for cardiac surgery, endocrinology, gastroenterology, pulmonology and orthopedics 
• 125 for neurosurgery and urology 

“These hospitals represent the highest standard of specialized care worldwide,” Kayser said about the lists. “Our goal is to provide trusted, data-driven guidance for patients navigating complex health challenges.” 

The rankings are based on: 

• An international online survey of thousands of health care professionals (85% of the score)
• Accreditation data (10%) 
• PROMs Implementation Survey (5%), which evaluates hospitals’ adoption of Patient Reported Outcome Measures, assessing how patient-reported data is used to improve care 

New Jersey | Newsweek’s World’s Best Specialized Hospitals 2026: 

• Children’s Specialized Hospital, New Brunswick | RWJBarnabas Health
  • No. 156: Pediatrics
• Hackensack University Medical Center (Hackensack Meridian John Theurer Cancer Center), Hackensack | Hackensack Meridian Health
  • No. 212: Oncology
• Memorial Sloan Kettering Basking Ridge, Basking Ridge
  • No. 261: Oncology 
• Morristown Medical Center, Morristown | Atlantic Health System
  • No. 133: Pulmonology
  • No. 294: Cardiology