Jersey Shore University Medical Center Chair of Neurology's research accelerating, enhancing emergency stroke care. Published: October 26, 2026 About 1 in 4 adults worldwide will have a stroke in their lifetime. Knowing the warning signs of stroke and acting quickly is important for the public. But acting quickly is not only important, but essential for emergency healthcare professionals, nurses, and physicians to provide lifesaving care and prevent lifelong disability. Professor and Chair of Neurology Shadi Yaghi, M.D., FAHA, Hackensack Meridian Neuroscience Institute at Jersey Shore University Medical Center, and a team of researchers developed an innovative, web-based calculator that uses a patient's existing medical records to accurately predict their risk of suffering a stroke within thirty days after a surgery or medical procedure. Their research was published in the Journal of the American Heart Association in June 2026. By analyzing everyday health information like age, previous strokes, and narrowed blood vessels, the calculator they developed empowers emergency medicine physicians to quickly identify high-risk patients and customize their pre-surgery care, such as optimizing medications, controlling blood pressure, or delaying elective procedures until it is safer. Next steps for Hackensack Meridian Health (HMH) include developing systems to implement this calculator in all its medical centers providing emergency stroke care. This implementation will enhance this emergency care, in part, by increasing the speed of care delivery. For patients, this personalized and transparent risk-assessment encourages shared decision-making with their doctors, ensuring they fully understand their specific health risks before consenting to an operation. "Ultimately, utilizing this predictive tool allows medical teams to take proactive, life-saving measures that prevent debilitating complications, leading to safer surgeries and better long-term recoveries," explains Dr. Yaghi. "This will add to HMH's already robust and nationally recognized stroke emergency and rehabilitative care services, and benefit the New Jersey communities we serve." HMH has three Comprehensive Stroke Centers and nine Primary Stroke Centers, certified by the Joint Commission and licensed by the NJ Department of Health and Senior Services. The three comprehensive stroke centers, Hackensack University, JFK University and Jersey Shore University medical centers, hold the most advanced stroke care designations and are equipped to treat the most complex cases. All twelve are recognized by the American Heart Association / American Stroke Association for their exceptional, evidence based stroke care. Stroke affects the arteries leading to and within the brain. It is the No. 4 cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the U.S. People should B.E.F.A.S.T. to identify stroke and take action. Those suffering a stroke experience balance loss, eye changes in vision, face drooping, arm weakness and speech difficulties, if this is noticed it's time to call 9-1-1.

Hackensack Meridian Health and Hunterdon Health sign Definitive Agreement to merge. Read Time: 3 min 30 seconds Published: October 20, 2026 Key Takeaways * Hackensack Meridian Health and Hunterdon Health signed a definitive agreement for Hunterdon Health to join the HMH network. * HMH plans to invest $200 million in Hunterdon facilities, programs and community access to care, plus $30 million to introduce the Epic electronic health record. * Hunterdon Health will keep local board oversight for six years after the agreement closes, and its current leadership team will continue daily operations. * Funds donated through the Hunterdon Healthcare Foundation will continue to support Hunterdon Medical Center and local services. * The agreement still requires state and federal regulatory approval. Until then, you can continue receiving care from your current Hunterdon Health providers and locations as usual. AI generated. Hackensack Meridian Health (HMH) and Hunterdon Health today signed a definitive agreement for Hunterdon Health to join the HMH network. Both organizations' Boards of Trustees approved the agreement and leaders from both organizations signed the agreement at HMH headquarters in Iselin. The signing follows the organizations' June announcement that Hunterdon Health and Hackensack Meridian Health signed a letter of intent to explore a proposed merger between the two health care organizations. At that time, the organizations said they intend to work diligently toward a definitive agreement. Today's agreement completes that step and sets out the terms both organizations will follow as they seek regulatory approval. "Today we're making real commitments to the people of Hunterdon County and the surrounding communities," said Robert C. Garrett, CEO of Hackensack Meridian Health. "Hunterdon Health has a long history of excellent, community-centered care. By investing in facilities, technology, and clinical programs, we'll help ensure patients in this region can receive leading-edge care close to home, backed by the resources of our entire network. We look forward to welcoming Hunterdon Health's team members, physicians, and volunteers to the HMH family." Key Commitments in the Definitive Agreement * $200 million capital investment: HMH will invest $200 million in strategic capital projects that improve access to care, including investments in Hunterdon facilities, programs, and the communities Hunterdon Health serves. * $30 million Epic investment: HMH will fully fund the rollout of its Epic electronic health record across Hunterdon Health, including Hunterdon Medical Center, ambulatory sites, Hunterdon Medical Group, and participating independent physicians. * Local governance and community voice: For six years after closing, Hunterdon will keep local board oversight. A Hunterdon representative will join the HMH Board of Trustees, and Hunterdon representatives will serve on other HMH boards and committees. A Hunterdon Community Advisory Committee will give local input on community health needs. * Funds donated locally stay local: The Hunterdon Healthcare Foundation will continue as a separate organization. It will honor donor intent, and money raised locally will continue to support Hunterdon Medical Center and its services. * Physician and medical staff continuity: Hunterdon Medical Center will keep its own medical staff leadership and peer review. Hunterdon Medical Group will remain an employment option for physicians for at least five years. Hunterdon Health's clinically integrated network will continue for at least five years. * Clinical growth: The organizations will jointly evaluate the expansion of clinical services and the ambulatory network in the Hunterdon region, as well as a physician recruitment plan. * Accountability: A joint committee with equal representation from Hunterdon and HMH will monitor HMH's compliance with its key commitments. "This agreement reflects months of careful work and a shared commitment to what matters most: our patients, our employees, our physicians, and our communities," said Kristy Alfano, President and CEO of Hunterdon Health. "Joining Hackensack Meridian Health will strengthen our ability to invest in our people, expand services, and bring new technology and specialty expertise to our region. Just as important, the agreement keeps local leadership and community input at the heart of how Hunterdon Health serves its neighbors." Hunterdon's current leadership team will continue to run day-to-day operations. Next Steps The merger still requires customary state and federal regulatory reviews and approvals, including review under New Jersey's Community Health Care Assets Protection Act (CHAPA) and federal antitrust review. Until closing, Hunterdon Health and Hackensack Meridian Health will continue to operate as independent organizations, and patients should continue to receive care from their current providers and locations as usual.

Joint Commission names 2026 quality, Patient Safety, and Leadership Award winners. Newman Memorial Hospital, Hackensack Meridian Health, Johns Hopkins Medicine, and UPMC are among the honorees recognized at the UNIFY 2026 conference. Joint Commission announced its 2026 award winners at its annual flagship UNIFY 2026: Convening for Quality conference, recognizing healthcare organizations and individuals for leadership, innovation, and contributions to patient safety and quality of care. The awards program is designed to honor organizations and individuals driving advancements across the healthcare industry, with the goal of supporting the shared vision that all people should have access to the safest, highest-quality care across settings. Newman Memorial Hospital received the 2026 Award of Excellence, which honors an individual or healthcare organization for outstanding leadership and remarkable contributions to healthcare. Hackensack Meridian Health was named the recipient of the 2026 Healthcare Innovation Award, which recognizes a healthcare organization for advancing the frontiers of healthcare and setting new standards of excellence. "Each of our 2026 award recipients exemplifies the very best of healthcare," says Jonathan B. Perlin, MD, PhD, president and CEO of Joint Commission, in a release. "Behind every initiative, organization, and individual recognized today are patients and families whose lives have been touched by their dedication to advancing safer care, improving quality, and driving innovation, ultimately leading to better health outcomes for all." Eisenberg awards recognize Patient Safety innovation. The John M. Eisenberg Patient Safety and Quality Awards honor achievements by individuals and organizations making a measurable difference in patient safety and quality of care. Launched in 2002, the program honors the late John M. Eisenberg, MD, MBA, former administrator of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. This year's Eisenberg honorees include: * National Level Innovation in Patient Safety and Quality: Johns Hopkins Medicine, for its BrighT STAR (Testing Stewardship for Antibiotic Reduction) Learning Health Community initiative. * Local Level Innovation in Patient Safety and Quality: University of Pittsburgh Medical Center for its Real-Time Genomic Surveillance for Outbreak Detection and Control initiative. * Individual Achievement: Sanjay Saint, MD, MPH, MACP, professor emeritus of internal medicine at the University of Michigan Medical School, who last month joined Northwell Health and the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell. Physician and Nurse Leadership honorees. The 2026 Physician Leadership Award was presented to Walter R. Peters, Jr, MD, MBA, of Baylor Scott & White Health, and Thomas McGinn, MD, MPH, of CommonSpirit Health. The award recognizes physicians for contributions to improving patient care, advancing medical practice, and implementing solutions to complex healthcare challenges. The 2026 Nurse Leadership Award honored Cmdr Michelle Livingston of the Office of Quality, Indian Health Service, and Corey Russell, DNP, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, for leadership in advancing patient-centered care, strengthening interdisciplinary collaboration, and elevating nursing practice. Two new awards debut in 2026. Joint Commission introduced two new awards this year. The inaugural Care Team Award, which recognizes interdisciplinary care teams for collaboration, coordination, and commitment to patient-centered care, was presented to the Bon Secours Mercy Health Project Voyager Team and the team at Geisinger Behavioral Health Center Northeast. The Champion for Children's Care Award, which honors individuals whose commitment to children's healthcare has advanced care models and improved patient outcomes, was presented to Nicklaus Children's Health System.