It’s the phrase I’ve most often heard since I began covering health care more than a decade ago: Patients in New Jersey do not need to leave the state to get world-class care.
Two big events since we launched BINJE in May have proven that to be the case — and why we have a tie at the top of our first BINJE’s Best: Health Care list.
First, RWJBarnabas Health opened the Jack & Sheryl Morris Cancer Center in New Brunswick just weeks later.
“The Morris” is one of just 13 freestanding cancer hospitals in the country, but — with the latest technology and connections to the nearby HELIX (which includes a medical school) — it may very well be the best. Its “Bench to Bedside” approach is a model for all. And one RWJBH itself is copying.
The system aims to launch cancer centers in Livingston (the Melchiorre Cancer Center at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center) by the end of the year, and in Tinton Falls (a Specialty and Cancer Care Center at the Vogel Medical Campus at Monmouth Medical Center) in 2027.
In July, Hackensack Meridian Health had a first of its own when Hackensack University Medical Center became the first hospital in the state to make the Honor Roll of the prestigious U.S. News & World Report rankings, placing HUMC among the Top 20 hospitals in the nation.
U.S. News also placed HUMC in a tie for first in the New York City region — easily the best region for medical care in the country — and ranked HUMC nationally in 10 of 11 specialty areas, by far the most ranked specialties of any hospital in the state. HUMC’s John Theurer Cancer Center was ranked as the best in the state.
How can New Jersey top all of that?
Our BINJE’s Best list provides the answers.
Our honorees in the hospital division show all of the amazing services that are being provided — and all of the incredible expansion in the state (Cooper University Health Care recently launched a $3 billion Project Imagine campaign that will change the face of health care in South Jersey).
New Jersey’s efforts extend far beyond the four walls of its hospitals. Research being done at HMH’s Center for Discovery and Innovation and elsewhere around the state already is proving to be groundbreaking. The HELIX, when it opens next year, promises to do more of the same thanks in part to its relationship with Portal Innovations, which will lead its Innovation Hub.
Of course, all of this great work needs support. Once again, those fortunate enough to have had great financial success have graciously donated to help the cause, with a transformative $75 million gift from the Douglas H. Noble Family Foundation to Holy Name Medical Center leading the way — while setting a standard for others.
With all of the achievements taking place up and down the state, I think it’s fair to say that another phrase may be heard in the coming years: Patients in New York City and Philadelphia may need to cross the river into New Jersey to get world-class care.
Our first-ever BINJE’s Best: Health Care list proves they will have plenty of options when they come over.
See who made the list:
Why Hackensack Meridan Health is a co- No. 1
Why RWJBarnabas Health is a co- No. 1
