An all-time high number of hospitals took part in the U.S. News & World Report‘s 2025 Best Hospitals for Maternity Care.

About half of the more than 800 participating facilities earned the status nationwide. In New Jersey, U.S. News considered 32 hospitals, with 25 achieving “best” status.  

U.S. News has doled out the ratings since 2021. Working with their doctors, the evaluations aim to help expectant people make decisions about where to receive maternity care for uncomplicated births, the publication said announcing the latest iteration Dec. 10.  

The Garden State was second in terms of states with the most high-performing hospitals. California had the largest number, with 77 of its 99 evaluated facilities earning the designation. 

What makes a hospital the best?

According to U.S. News, compared with maternity care hospitals the publication did not evaluate, these facilities have decreased rates of: 

• C-section (22% lower) 
• Severe unexpected newborn baby complication (44% lower) 
• Episiotomy (33% lower) 

Additionally, they are 13% more likely to report race/ethnicity data for both C-section and severe unexpected newborn complications.  

Assessing access

Last year, U.S. began recognizing hospitals offering services to underserved communities. In the 2025 evaluation, 118 facilities earned the Maternity Care Access Hospital designation. These hospitals provide care in areas that would otherwise risk becoming maternity care deserts.  

Nationwide, the South (38%) and Midwest (30%) boasted the highest concentrations. Meanwhile, New Jersey is home to two Maternity Access Hospitals, according to U.S. News: 

• Southern Ocean Medical Center at Hackensack Meridian Health in Manahawkin; and 
• Newton Medical Center in Newton. 

To determine the rankings, U.S. news surveys hospitals providing maternity care. Health Data Scientist with the publication Dr. Jennifer Winston explains more:

RWJ Barnabas Health had six facilities included on the 2025 list.

“RWJBarnabas Health is proud to be a part of the incredible moment when a family welcomes a new baby,” said Suzanne Spernal, senior vice president of women’s services for RWJBarnabas Health. “This recognition is a testament to our pursuit of clinical excellence and commitment to clinical research with our academic partners at Rutgers Medical School and Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. These are a few of the reasons why we are the first choice for over 70 women each day who give birth at an RWJBarnabas Health facility.”

According to U.S. News, these are New Jersey’s “Best” Maternity Care hospitals:

• AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center, Atlantic City Campus
• Ocean University Medical Center at Hackensack Meridian Health
• Cooper University Health Care-Camden
• Virtua Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital
• Trinitas Regional Medical Center (RWJBH)
• Englewood Hospital
• Hackensack University Medical Center at Hackensack Meridian Health
• Monmouth Medical Center-Long Branch Campus (RWJBH)
• Morristown Medical Center at Atlantic Health System
• Virtua Mount Holly Hospital
• Jersey Shore University Medical Center at Hackensack Meridian Health
• Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJBH)
• Saint Peter’s University Hospital
• Newark Beth Israel Medical Center (RWJBH)
• Newton Medical Center
• Palisades Medical Center at Hackensack Meridian Health
• Capital Health Medical Center-Hopewell
• Raritan Bay and Old Bridge Medical Centers at Hackensack Meridian Health
• Chilton Medical Center (Atlantic Health System)
• Riverview Medical Center at Hackensack Meridian Health
• Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset (RWJBH)
• Jefferson Health-Stratford, Cherry Hill and Washington Township
• Overlook Medical Center at Atlantic Health System
• Community Medical Center-Toms River(RWJBH)
• Virtua Voorhees Hospital

These hospitals submitted for evaluation but did not achieve “best” status in 2025:

• Clara Maass Medical Center (RWJBH)
• Saint Clare’s Denville Hospital
• JFK University Medical Center at Hackensack Meridian Health
• CentraState Medical Center (Atlantic Health System)
• Jersey City Medical Center (RWJBH)
• Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center (RWJBH)
• Southern Ocean Medical Center at Hackensack Meridian Health

Perfect timing

On Monday, First Lady Tammy Murphy hosted the 7th Annual Nurture NJ Leadership Summit. 

Launched by Murphy, the statewide initiative aims to address the maternal and infant health crisis in the state. Since 2018, the effort has produced results – moving New Jersey from 47th to 28th for maternal mortality nationwide.  

“From the beginning, we have relied on our partners – including hospital CEOs, mothers, pastors, doulas and more – to inform our approach to effectuating lasting change. The progress we have made in lowering our maternal mortality rate and improving other crucial metrics is a testament to our collaborative efforts,” Murphy said during the Dec. 9 event.

In May, Nurture NJ marked a major milestone, as the New Jersey Economic Development Authority advanced the purchase of land in Trenton for the state’s future Maternal and Infant Health and Innovation Center.

“While there is still much more work to be done, each convening brings us one step closer to making New Jersey the safest and most equitable state in the nation to deliver and raise a baby,” Murphy continued. “I am so grateful to everyone who participated in today’s Nurture NJ Leadership Summit, and I look forward to continuing this fight on behalf of New Jersey families.”