(July 16, 2025 | New Brunswick, NJ) - Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH), an RWJBarnabas Health facility, has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for Disease-Specific Care Re-Certification for Spine Surgery by demonstrating continuous compliance with its performance standards. This is the third consecutive Gold Seal certification achieved by RWJUH’s spine surgery program.
The certification recognizes health care organizations that provide clinical programs across the continuum of care for spine surgery. The certification evaluates how organizations use clinical outcomes and performance measures to identify opportunities to improve care, as well as to educate and prepare patients and their caregivers for discharge.
RWJUH underwent a rigorous, onsite review in May. During the visit, a Joint Commission reviewer evaluated compliance with related certification standards including Clinical Information Management, Performance Measurement, Program Management, Supporting Self-Management, as well as Delivering and Facilitating Clinical Care. Joint Commission standards are developed in consultation with health care experts and providers, measurement experts and patients. The reviewers also conducted onsite observations and interviews.
RWJUH’s spine surgery team has completed advanced orthopedic surgery training and is highly qualified to provide comprehensive assessments and treatments for conditions of the spine, back, and neck. RWJUH also offers high-tech, minimally invasive spine surgery with the assistance of advanced 3-D imaging and intraoperative spinal navigation. RWJUH’s Spine Surgery Program offers patients a safer surgical experience through decreased radiation exposure, lower complication rates, and reduced post-operative pain. The program places a strong emphasis on patient education so that patients know what to expect before, during and after their spine surgery and are prepared with knowledge that helps them make a successful recovery.
“We are pleased that the Joint Commission has recognized our multidisciplinary Spine Surgery Team for the expert care and personalized treatment plans that we provide,” said Matthew McDonnell, MD, Clinical Associate Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at RWJUH and Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, who specializes in spine surgery and leads RWJUH’s program. “We are proud of achieving this re-certification for the third consecutive time, not only because it’s testament to the strong culture of collaboration and teamwork that exists among our Orthopedic, Neurosurgery, Anesthesia and Nursing teams, but it affirms our dedication to addressing debilitating spine conditions in our patients and restoring their quality of life. We remain committed to offering the most advanced surgical techniques and highest-quality care for our patients to help them return to active, healthy lifestyles.”
To prepare for the certification process, RWJUH’s orthopedic spine surgeons and neurosurgeons worked together to develop standardized patient-centered pathways grounded in best practices and innovation. By combining their expertise, the team established a new standard for integrated spine care that delivers safer surgeries, improved outcomes, and a better experience for patients.
For more information please visit spine surgery at RWJBarnabas Health.
About Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH) New Brunswick, an RWJBarnabas Health Facility, is a 628-bed academic medical center that is New Jersey’s largest academic medical center through its deep partnership with Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. RWJUH is the flagship Cancer Hospital of Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey and The Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, a nationally-ranked 2024-25 Best Children’s Hospital by U.S. News & World Report. Centers of Excellence include cardiovascular care from minimally invasive heart surgery to transplantation, cancer care, stroke care, neuroscience, orthopedics, bariatric surgery and women’s health. A Level 1 Trauma Center and the first designated Pediatric Trauma Center in the state, RWJUH’s New Brunswick campus serves as a national resource in its ground-breaking approaches to emergency preparedness. Learn more at www.rwjbh.org/newbrunswick. or www.bmsch.org
Contact: Peter Haigney
RWJUH Public Relations
732-937-8568