Hackensack Meridian Health didn’t get to be one of New Jersey’s largest health systems by standing still.
Over the past decade, the system has added hospitals, expanded into new regions and built a national reputation for quality. But its western footprint has remained limited — a gap that the proposed merger with Hunterdon Health, announced Monday, is designed to close.
For HMH CEO Bob Garrett, the Hunterdon deal is the latest expression of a growth strategy that has been decades in the making — and one that, if he has his way, won’t stop at the state line.
The appeal of Hunterdon, Garrett said, starts with something he looks for in every partnership: culture.
“We know that it starts with culture and cultural alignment, and we felt that really from day one when the discussion started,” he said. “Every hospital, every care site that has come under the Hackensack Meridian umbrella — their quality of care has improved, their patient safety scores have improved, their patient experience has improved. We believe that can be the same case in Hunterdon, although they’re starting from a great position of strength.”
Garrett also pointed to geography. HMH is one of New Jersey’s largest health systems, but its western footprint has been limited — primarily through the Carrier Clinic and behavioral health services. Hunterdon changes that.
“The western area that we cover now is through the Carrier Clinic and behavioral health services,” he said. “Having Hunterdon as part of the HMH family will enable us to expand services and programs offered in this growing part of the state.”
He drew a parallel to HMH’s merger with Meridian a decade ago — a combination that created a central region anchored by JFK and proved, he said, that the model works.
The deal still has significant steps ahead. The organizations will work toward a definitive agreement following due diligence, and regulators will need to weigh in before any merger is finalized.
But Garrett’s vision extends beyond New Jersey’s borders. Pushed on whether HMH’s westward expansion puts it within reach of Pennsylvania — and a broader regional identity — he didn’t hesitate.
“Health care should not be defined by state lines,” he said.
