Edison-based Hackensack Meridian Health, one of the state’s largest employers, has been selected to PEOPLE’s 100 Companies That Care list for 2026, coming in at No 48.
HMH is one of two companies headquartered in New Jersey on the list. Bridgewater-based Insmed was No. 86.
The honor, created in partnership with Great Place to Work, highlights companies that demonstrate exceptional care for employees, communities and the environment.
HMH earned its spot for the culture it has built around team-member support, inclusion and professional growth — a theme echoed throughout the network’s release announcing the recognition.
“Caring for one another is at the heart of everything we do at Hackensack Meridian Health,” CEO Bob Garrett said in the announcement, adding that when team members thrive, patients do too.
Linda McHugh, the network’s chief experience and people officer, noted that HMH has worked intentionally to create a workplace “where people feel valued, connected, and empowered to make an impact every day.”
The recognition adds to a growing list of culture accolades for HMH, including its No. 39 ranking on Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For earlier this year — a jump from No. 72 — and its No. 4 spot on Fortune’s Best Places to Work in Healthcare.
Insmed, the Bridgewater-based biopharmaceutical company, also earned a place, focuses on developing therapies for patients with rare and serious diseases, most notably its work in treating nontuberculous mycobacterial lung disease.
Insmed has grown into one of New Jersey’s most prominent life-science players, with global operations anchored in Bridgewater and a pipeline aimed at conditions with few or no existing treatments.
And while two companies may appear to be a slim showing for a state with one of the country’s densest corporate corridors — it’s not.
New Jersey has a strong presence on the list through companies that, while not headquartered here, maintain major operations, employment or infrastructure in the state.
Dozens of companies that are not headquartered in New Jersey but have a very large presence here also made the list, including but not limited to:
- AstraZeneca: Strong N.J. commercial and clinical footprint.
- Bank of America: Huge statewide footprint across retail, wealth and commercial banking.
- Deloitte: Major N.J. consulting hub in Morristown’s M Station.
- Fidelity Investments: Major Jersey City office and financial-services employment.
- Goldman Sachs: Major Hudson County employer.
- JPMorgan Chase: Significant Jersey City corporate offices and statewide retail banking.
- KPMG: Moving its New Jersey office from Short Hills to Morristown’s HQ Plaza.
- PwC: Large Florham Park office serving major N.J. clients.
- Thermo Fisher Scientific: Large NJ lab and pharma supply-chain footprint.
- United Airlines: Newark Liberty’s dominant carrier.
- Verizon: Major Basking Ridge corporate campus; one of state’s largest employers.
- Walmart: Large statewide retail employment footprint.
