Good news for parents looking for the best care for their kids: According to U.S. News & World Report’s 2026-27 Best Children’s Hospitals rankings, three hospitals (part of two systems) are worthy of the No. 1 honor.
The rankings, released Tuesday morning, place Hackensack Meridian Health’s Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital and K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital — entered jointly under one ranking — in a tie for No. 1 in New Jersey with The Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, part of RWJBarnabas Health.
Atlantic Health’s Goryeb Children’s Hospital in Morristown also earned recognition this cycle, ranking No. 3 in New Jersey and No. 6 in the NYC region — its first appearance on the U.S. News list.
“At Hackensack Meridian Health, we focus on providing world-class care for children and their families where and when they need it most,” CEO Bob Garrett said. “We are always prioritizing child and adolescent care by bringing together world-class pediatric specialists, innovative treatments, and compassionate, personalized care for each patient.”
RWJBH CEO Mark Manigan was just as proud.
“These rankings send a simple and clear message to families across New Jersey that the specialized care their children deserve is being delivered across RWJBarnabas Health,” said Mark E. Manigan, president and CEO, RWJBarnabas Health.
Hackensack Meridian’s Sanzari and Hovnanian hospitals earned national specialty rankings in three areas:
- Pediatric and Adolescent Behavioral Health (Top 50 – no specific ranking given)
- Pediatric Diabetes & Endocrinology (No. 47)
- Pediatric Urology (No. 45)
The Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital earned national specialty rankings in:
- Pediatric Urology (No. 23)
- Pediatric Nephrology (No. 38)
- Pediatric Behavioral & Mental Health (Top 50 – no specific ranking given)
The nephrology and behavioral health rankings mark the first time either specialty has been nationally recognized at the Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital, while its urology ranking is now in its fourth consecutive year.
“Being recognized in Pediatric Urology for the fourth year in a row is a milestone that reflects the strength and consistency of our pediatric programs,” said Dr. Fernando Ferrer, chief pediatric officer for RWJBarnabas Health. “This achievement is the result of extraordinary collaboration across our system, ensuring that families in New Jersey have access to the same level of care as the nation’s leading children’s hospitals.”
Jose Azar, executive vice president and chief quality and clinical service line officer at Hackensack Meridian Health, said the honor speaks to the overall quality of care at HMH.
“Hackensack Meridian Health continues to advance pediatric medicine, supported by incredible teams across our networks,” he said. “These rankings reflect the commitment of our teams at Hackensack Meridian Children’s Health hospitals in advancing treatment and delivering compassionate care at every stage of a child’s life.”
Goryeb Children’s Hospital earned national specialty rankings in two areas:
- Pediatric Neonatology (No. 46)
- Pediatric Diabetes & Endocrinology (No. 46)
This year’s rankings mark the 20th edition of U.S. News’ Best Children’s Hospitals evaluation, which has assessed pediatric care nationally since 2007.
For the 2026-27 cycle, U.S. News and RTI International, a North Carolina-based research firm, collected and analyzed data from more than 115 children’s hospitals nationwide, evaluating clinical outcomes, patient safety, infection prevention and nurse staffing levels, along with a survey of thousands of pediatric specialists asked where they would refer the sickest children in their field.
