Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Earns Spot for Third Consecutive Year
West Orange, NJ, December 11 2025 –RWJBarnabas Health is proud to announce that Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH), New Jersey’s largest academic medical center in partnership with Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School (RWJMS), was recognized in Becker’s Hospital Review’s “100 Great Neuro & Spine Programs” for the third consecutive year. Becker’s Hospital Review identifies hospitals for its annual list based on their superior patient outcomes, innovative surgical techniques and trailblazing research efforts.
RWJUH’s Neuroscience Program—led by esteemed RWJMS faculty, Robert Gross, MD, PhD Professor and Chair of Neurosurgery, and Suhayl Dhib-Jalbut, MD, Professor and Chair of Neurology, alongside Hai Sun, MD, the hospital’s chief of Neurosurgery — was recognized on the list for its exemplary leadership, highly regarded specialists, robust research initiatives, and groundbreaking clinical trials. RWJUH holds the highest accreditation for stroke by The Joint Commission, as well as the American Heart Association Get With the Guidelines certifications, and is a Level IV Adult and Pediatric Epilepsy Center. The neurosurgery service is the only one in the state with access to an intraoperative MRI and is home to the latest robotic technology for epilepsy, movement disorders, mechanical stroke, vascular interventions, and more.
RWJUH is one of three Level 1 Trauma Centers designated by the state, is home to the Jack & Sheryl Morris Cancer Center, which is NJ’s only NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center with Rutgers Cancer Institute and to the nationally ranked Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital. This unique environment fosters the development of future healthcare leaders, facilitates cutting-edge research and ensures the delivery of the highest-levels of complex care to over 45,000 inpatients and approximately 110,000 Emergency Department patients annually.
The hospital's neurocritical care unit provides state-of-the-art monitoring and treatment for acute neurological conditions, while its hybrid operating room with biplane angiography facilitates seamless endovascular procedures. Additionally, the hospital organizes educational events, such as the annual Stroke and Neurocritical Care Symposium, New Jersey Epilepsy Symposium and participates in numerous research trials to advance the field of neurology and neurosurgery.
RWJUH boasts a distinguished record of excellence, recently achieving significant milestones. The hospital has been re-certified as an Advanced Comprehensive Stroke Program by The Joint Commission with an impeccable performance. RWJUH's stroke center garnered extensive recognition in 2025 from the American Heart Association's Get With The Guidelines program. The hospital’s commitment to quality is further evidenced by its six consecutive Magnet Awards for Nursing Excellence from the American Nurses Credentialing Center, and its designation as one of the nation's best comprehensive cancer centers by the Commission on Cancer – American College of Surgeons. RWJUH was also recognized in the U.S. News & World Report 2025-2026 Best Hospitals edition among “Best Regional Hospitals,” ranking in the top ten in New Jersey and the top 25 in the Mid-Atlantic region.
About RWJBarnabas Health
RWJBarnabas Health is New Jersey’s largest and most comprehensive academic health system, caring for more than five million people annually. Nationally renowned for quality and safety, the system includes 14 hospitals and 9,000 affiliated physicians integrated to provide care at more than 700 patient care locations.
RWJBarnabas Health partners with its communities to build and sustain a healthier New Jersey. It provides patient-centered care in a compassionate manner and is the state’s largest safety-net provider and leader in addressing the social determinants of health. RWJBarnabas Health provides food to the hungry, housing for the homeless and economic opportunities to those most vulnerable.
RWJBarnabas Health’s commitment to enhancing access to care includes a transformative partnership with Rutgers University, including the Rutgers Cancer Institute — the state's only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.
Contact: Carrie Cristello
Carrie.Cristello@rwjbh.org