Pictured are members of the Stroke Task Force at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton. Included are Kerri Mendez BSN, RN Coordinator, Quality Assurance; Sandra Haas BSN, RN, CBN, Clinical Nurse Coordinator, Disease Management; Denise Berdecia, MSN, RN, ONC, Director, Disease Management; Meghan McCord-Zaro, VP, Quality, Patient Safety & Risk; Dawn Hutchinson, Chief Nursing Officer; Hamil Patel, MD, Stroke Medical Director and Vice Chair Department of Emergency Services, Medical Staff Leadership; Samer Haddad, MD, Chair Department of Medicine, Medical Staff Leadership; and William DiStanislao, VP Operations.
Hamilton Township, NJ, September 15, 2026 – Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton (RWJUH Hamilton), an RWJBarnabas Health facility, has once again earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for Advanced Primary Stroke Center Certification by demonstrating continuous compliance with its performance standards. The Gold Seal is a symbol of quality that reflects a healthcare organization’s commitment to providing safe and quality patient care.
During the July 13 review, surveyors engaged in a collaborative dialogue with hospital representatives that demonstrated RWJUH Hamilton’s commitment to providing safe, high-quality care for patients, the workforce and the community.
The Gold Seal is a symbol of quality that reflects a healthcare organization’s commitment to providing safe and quality patient care. The certification recognizes healthcare organizations that provide clinical programs across the continuum of care for stroke. 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 Hamilton underwent a rigorous, unannounced onsite review in July. During the visit, a team of Joint Commission reviewers evaluated compliance with related certification standards, including 24/7 stroke team availability, rapid diagnostic testing and the timely administration of clot-busting treatments. Joint Commission standards are developed in consultation with healthcare experts, providers, measurement experts and patients. The reviewers also conducted onsite observations and interviews.
“Advanced Primary 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 RWJUH Hamilton 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.”
“This recertification from The Joint Commission reflects the high-quality care RWJUH Hamilton provides and demonstrates our team’s commitment to helping patients achieve the best possible recovery following a stroke,” says Lisa Breza, RN, MSN, NEA-BC, Chief Administrative Officer, RWJUH Hamilton. “Our nursing team plays a critical role in supporting stroke patients throughout their recovery, working alongside our rehabilitation and physical therapy team, which hosts free monthly stroke support groups where survivors and caregivers can share experiences, recovery strategies and practical information for managing life after stroke."
The Quality, Disease Management and Nursing teams led the recertification process at RWJUH Hamilton. This certification is awarded every two years.
Learn more at rwjbh.org/stroke
About RWJUH Hamilton
Located in Hamilton Township, NJ, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton (RWJUH Hamilton), an RWJBarnabas Health facility, serves Mercer County as well as a larger five-county region of New Jersey. RWJBarnabas Health and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton’s Cancer Center, in partnership with Rutgers Cancer Institute – the state’s only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, brings a world-class team of researchers and specialists to its cancer center, providing close-to-home access to the latest treatment and clinical trials. RWJUH Hamilton is Joint Commission Certified, Primary Stroke Center Certified from The Joint Commission, and a Center for Excellence from The Joint Commission for stroke, spine surgery and hip and knee replacement and is MAGNET® Recognized from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).
RWJUH Hamilton’s other specialties include heart and vascular care, including emergency and elective angioplasty, heart failure intervention program, coupled with a specialty-trained support staff, treatment and care for minor injuries and life-threatening illnesses, outpatient diagnostic and treatment services and medical/surgical services, bariatric surgery, wound care, women’s health, geriatrics/ senior health and wellness care, infusion services, outpatient rehabilitation and physical therapy centers, including cardiac rehab, orthopedic rehab, speech therapy, aquatic therapy, a balance and hearing center and sleep center.
Visit rwjbh.org/Hamilton
Media Contact:
Sherry Smith, Director, Strategic Marketing & Communications
(609)-584-6583
sherry.smith2@rwjbh.org