Toms River, New Jersey, October 20, 2026 – Community Medical Center (CMC), part of RWJBarnabas Health, New Jersey’s largest academic health care system, has earned Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® and the American Stroke Association’s Heart-Check mark for Thrombectomy-Capable Stroke Center Certification.
“The Community Medical Center team is proud to earn Thrombectomy-Capable Stroke Center certification from The Joint Commission and the American Stroke Association,” says Aaron F. Hajart, MS, ATC, FACHE, President and Chief Executive Officer, Community Medical Center. “Every second matters when it comes to stroke treatment, and our community members and visitors deserve access to advanced stroke care and other neurology services, close-to-home.”
CMC underwent a rigorous, unannounced onsite review on September 9, 2026. During the visit, a team of Joint Commission reviewers evaluated compliance with related certification standards including program management, endovascular thrombectomy performance, clinical care, staff and physician stroke education, and Emergency Medical Services partnership. Joint Commission standards are developed in consultation with healthcare experts and providers, measurement experts and patients. The reviewers also conducted onsite observations and interviews.
“Thrombectomy-Capable Stroke Center Certification recognizes healthcare organizations committed to striving for excellence and fostering continuous improvement in patient safety and quality of care,” says Ken Grubbs, DNP, MBA, RN, executive vice president of Accreditation and Certification Operations and chief nursing executive, Joint Commission. “We commend CMC for using Joint Commission’s certification process to reduce variation in clinical processes and to strengthen its clinical program to drive safer, higher quality and more compassionate care for individuals served.”
“We congratulate CMC for this outstanding achievement,” says Nancy Brown, chief executive officer, the American Stroke Association. “This certification reflects its commitment to providing the highest quality of care for stroke patients.”
Hospitals must meet specific eligibility requirements before pursuing Thrombectomy-Capable Stroke Center Certification, such as 24/7 availability of neurology, neurosurgical, and neurointerventional services, and an Acute Stroke Team. Organizations must demonstrate experience performing thrombectomy procedures and post-procedure care. For more information, please visit Joint Commission’s website.
RWJBarnabas Health operates New Jersey’s largest and most comprehensive stroke network, ensuring that patients have access to rapid, advanced treatment. With eight Joint Commission accredited primary stroke centers, two Joint Commission-certified advanced comprehensive stroke centers, and two thrombectomy-capable stroke centers – Community Medical Center, certified by The Joint Commission, and Jersey City Medical Center, certified by DNV - the network provides cutting-edge therapies, neurointerventional capabilities, and multidisciplinary teams dedicated to improving outcomes.”