HACKENSACK, N.J. — Hackensack University Medical Center has earned national recognition for its stroke care, joining 11 other Hackensack Meridian Health hospitals honored by the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association.

The 2026 Get With The Guidelines-Stroke awards recognize hospitals that follow evidence-based treatment standards designed to improve patient outcomes, reduce readmissions and speed recovery.

Hackensack University Medical Center received Gold Plus recognition with Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite Plus, Advanced Therapy and Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll honors.

The hospital is one of three Comprehensive Stroke Centers in the Hackensack Meridian network, equipped to treat the most complex stroke cases. The other two are JFK University Medical Center and Jersey Shore University Medical Center.

Pascack Valley Medical Center also received recognition, earning a Stroke Silver Plus award and the Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll designation. Palisades Medical Center received Stroke Gold Plus recognition, including Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite Plus and Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll honors.

The remaining recognized hospitals were Bayshore Medical Center, Ocean University Medical Center, Raritan Bay Medical Center’s Old Bridge and Perth Amboy campuses, Riverview Medical Center, Southern Ocean Medical Center and Mountainside Medical Center.

Across the network, the awards recognize hospitals’ commitment to following current stroke-treatment guidelines, including time-sensitive care when every minute can affect a patient’s outcome.

“We are incredibly proud to see so many of our hospitals recognized for excellence in stroke care,” Hackensack Meridian Health CEO Robert C. Garrett said, crediting the skill and teamwork of physicians, nurses and other medical staff.

Hackensack University Medical Center is also home to New Jersey’s only nationally ranked neurology and neurosurgery program, according to U.S. News & World Report’s 2026-2027 rankings.