Three NJ hospitals have been named to the Feb. 17 release of Newsweek’s list of Best Maternity Care Hospitals – University Hospital in Newark, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital and Ocean Medical Center in Brick. The list recognizes those facilities that have excelled in providing quality care to mothers, newborns and their families, according to the 2020 Leapfrog Hospital Survey.

For the first time, University Hospital, in Newark, was designated as one of Newsweek’s Best Maternity Care Hospitals 2021.

University Hospital says approximately 1,600 babies are born each year at its facility. In addition to the number of births, the Hospital hosts more than 24,000 prenatal patient visits per year and has a staff of 30 board-certified physicians from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and experienced labor and delivery registered nurses serving new mothers, babies, and their families.

“Being included on Newsweek’s Best Maternity Care Hospitals list is quite a testament to our doctors, nurses and maternity staff, who work so hard to make sure every mother and newborn baby receives outstanding care,” said Dr. Shereef Elnahal, president and CEO of University Hospital. “Throughout 2020, urban hospitals that serve majority-minority communities have faced serious challenges in so many areas. At the same time, our maternity program has thrived and continued to serve expectant mothers throughout the public health emergency with high quality care. Our community values the fact that University Hospital is a safe and welcoming space for childbirth, and a safe destination for the essential care expectant mothers need leading up to the birth of their child and postpartum.”