New Jersey's largest stroke network delivers excellence in stroke care, exceptional clinical outcomes, and latest evidence-based treatment protocols
West Orange, NJ (July 30, 2026)—RWJBarnabas Health, New Jersey's largest academic health system, announced that six of its stroke centers have earned American Heart Association/American Stroke Association (AHA/ASA) 2026 Get With The Guidelines® achievement awards.
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH) achieved the highest level of recognition given by AHA/ASA for stroke care. Clara Maas Medical Center received its first-ever stroke achievement award.
"This validation of our programmatic excellence reflects our commitment to continuous improvement and evidence-based best practices in order to deliver the most timely, leading-edge stroke care to patients across New Jersey," said Robert E. Gross, MD, PhD, Senior Vice President, Neurosciences, RWJBarnabas Health and Chair, Neurosurgery, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. "Every day, our physicians, nurses and multidisciplinary care teams work to refine and improve how we provide the highest quality treatment so that patients have the best chance to fully recover from a stroke."
The following RWJBarnabas Health hospitals received recognition for their commitment to evidence-based care that improves patient outcomes:
- Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital — Get With The Guidelines®-Stroke Gold Plus with Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite Plus, Advanced Therapy and Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll
- Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center — Get With The Guidelines®-Stroke Gold Plus with Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite Plus and Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll
- Jersey City Medical Center — Get With The Guidelines®-Stroke Gold Plus with Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite and Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll
- Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset — Get With The Guidelines®-Stroke Gold Plus with Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll
- Community Medical Center — Get With The Guidelines®-Stroke Silver Plus with Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll
- Clara Maass Medical Center — Get With The Guidelines®-Stroke Bronze
This year's AHA/ASA Get With The Guidelines achievement awards are based on performance data from 2024–2025 and reflect RWJBarnabas Health's excellence in meeting or exceeding nationally recognized treatment standards that reduce disability and improve patient survival.
"Providing exceptional stroke care requires a high-performing culture that enables seamless coordination at every touch point during a patient's journey, from the pre-hospital emergency response through recovery and rehabilitation," said Michael Prilutsky, Executive Vice President, RWJBarnabas Health. "As the largest stroke network in New Jersey, this level of clinical excellence translates into thousands of lives saved, as well as quality-of-life preserved, every year."
The AHA/ASA Get With The Guidelines program engages with hospitals nationwide, helping ensure patient care is aligned with the latest research and evidence-based guidelines. GTWG - Stroke is an in-hospital program for improving stroke care by promoting consistent adherence to these guidelines, which can minimize the long-term effects of a stroke and even prevent death. The AHA Mission: Lifeline and Get With The Guidelines programs help reduce barriers to prompt treatment for vascular events.
RWJBarnabas Health operates New Jersey’s largest and most comprehensive stroke network, ensuring that patients have access to rapid, advanced treatment. With 10 primary stroke centers and two advanced comprehensive stroke centers, accredited by The Joint Commission, the network provides cutting-edge therapies, neurointerventional capabilities, and multidisciplinary teams dedicated to improving outcomes. Learn more at RWJBarnabas Health Stroke Centers.
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 diverse communities to build and sustain a healthier New Jersey. It provides patient-centered care in a compassionate and equitable 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.
RWJBarnabas Health is among New Jersey’s largest private employers, with more than 44,000 employees, contributing more than $5.5 billion to the state economy every year. For more information, visit www.RWJBH.org