Hackensack Meridian Health kicks Off Breast Cancer Awareness Month with pink event at several campuses. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Hackensack Meridian Health is going pink to raise awareness and encourage women to get screened for breast cancer. Hackensack Meridian Hackensack University Medical Center and Hackensack Meridian Palisades Medical Center hosted their annual Breast Cancer Awareness Month Kick Off Events today. The day's urgent message with 1 in 8 women expected to face a breast cancer diagnosis in her lifetime and more than 382,000 women expected to be diagnosed this year alone, breast cancer awareness month is not only a reason to dazzle in pink, it's an urgent call to action. According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed among U.S. women with the fastest increases seen in women under 50. In response, HMH mobilized to educate the public and its own team members, transforming hospital lobbies into vibrant, pink-themed hubs of information and action. At both Palisades Medical Center and Hackensack University Medical Center, attendees had the opportunity to: * Speak directly with breast cancer specialists. * Learn about the latest screening technologies, including new AI-powered diagnostics. * Schedule same-day mammogram screenings on-site. * Practice life-saving self-check techniques on life-sized models. A powerful highlight of the day were the personal stories of hope shared by patients, like Tara Piantadosi, a 35-year-old Hackensack University Medical Center (HUMC) dietitian whose life was saved by genetic testing and proactive early screening. After her mother's breast cancer diagnosis revealed a CHEK2 gene mutation, Tara underwent testing herself, discovered she was a carrier, and followed updated guidelines to get an early mammogram at age 32. That screening caught Stage 0 breast cancer (DCIS) so early that her Hackensack University Medical Center (HUMC). Also sharing her story, Stephanie Albarracin, who has no family history of breast cancer, and was completely shocked by her diagnosis in March 2025 at just 38. After enduring a grueling year of immunotherapy, chemotherapy, and 25 rounds of radiation at Palisades Medical Center, Stephanie recently received the news that she is NED (No Evidence of Disease). While the kick-off events have concluded, Hackensack Meridian Health's campaign for breast cancer awareness and screening continues throughout October. The network encourages women to speak with their doctors about their personal risk and to schedule a mammogram.

Joint Commission announces 2026 quality, Patient Safety, and Leadership Award winners. OAKBROOK TERRACE, Illinois, Oct. 01, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) - Joint Commission announced its 2026 award winners this week at its annual, flagship UNIFY 2026(TM): Convening for Quality conference. The enterprise's robust awards program honors outstanding organizations and individuals for exceptional leadership, innovation, and commitment, with the goal of supporting the entire healthcare industry in achieving the shared vision that all people should have the opportunity to experience the safest, highest quality healthcare across all settings. The Award of Excellence honors an individual or healthcare organization for outstanding leadership and remarkable contributions to healthcare. Newman Memorial Hospital is the recipient of the 2026 Award of Excellence. The Healthcare Innovation Award recognizes a healthcare organization for its steadfast commitment to advancing the frontiers of healthcare and setting new standards of excellence. Hackensack Meridian Health is the recipient of the 2026 Healthcare Innovation Award. The John M. Eisenberg Patient Safety and Quality Awards honor outstanding achievements by individuals and organizations that are making a measurable difference in patient safety and quality of care. Launched in 2002, the awards program honors the late John M. Eisenberg, MD, MBA, former administrator of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. The 2026 Eisenberg Award for National Level Innovation in Patient Safety and Quality recognizes Johns Hopkins Medicine for its initiative, BrighT STAR (Testing Stewardship for Antibiotic Reduction) Learning Health Community. The 2026 Eisenberg Award for Local Level Innovation in Patient Safety and Quality honors UPMC (University of Pittsburgh Medical Center) for its initiative, Real-Time Genomic Surveillance for Outbreak Detection and Control. The 2026 Eisenberg Award for Individual Achievement honors Sanjay Saint, MD, MPH, MACP. Dr. Saint is professor emeritus of Internal Medicine at the University of Michigan Medical School, and last month joined Northwell Health and the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell. The Physician Leadership Award honors physicians for significant contributions to improving patient care, advancing medical practice, and implementing innovative solutions to complex healthcare challenges. Walter R. Peters, Jr., MD, MBA, of Baylor Scott & White Health and Thomas McGinn, MD, MPH, of CommonSpirit Health are the recipients of the 2026 Physician Leadership Award. The Nurse Leadership Award recognizes nurse leaders for exceptional leadership in advancing patient-centered care, strengthening interdisciplinary collaboration, and elevating nursing practice to drive meaningful improvements. Cmdr. Michelle Livingston, Office of Quality, Indian Health Service, and Corey Russell, DNP, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, are the recipients of the 2026 Nurse Leadership Award. The Care Team Award, in its inaugural year, recognizes interdisciplinary care teams that demonstrate outstanding collaboration, coordination and commitment to delivering exceptional patient-centered care. The Bon Secours Mercy Health Project Voyager Team and the team at Geisinger Behavioral Health Center Northeast are the recipients of the 2026 Care Team Award. The Champion for Children's Care Award - another new award this year - honors individuals whose steadfast commitment to children's healthcare has advanced care models, improved patient outcomes, and supported healthcare organizations and providers in delivering safe, high-quality care for the youngest patients we serve. Nicklaus Children's Health System is the recipient of the 2026 Champion for Children's Care Award. "Each of our 2026 award recipients exemplifies the very best of healthcare," said Jonathan B. Perlin, MD, PhD, President and Chief Executive Officer of Joint Commission. "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. We are honored to celebrate the leaders and organizations whose dedication, ingenuity, and perseverance continue to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those they serve." To learn more about the 2026 awardees and their accomplishments, visit Joint Commission's website: https://www.jointcommission.org/en-us/about-us/recognizing-excellence/awards About Joint Commission Joint Commission enables and affirms the highest standards of healthcare quality and patient safety for all. Founded in 1951, it is the nation's oldest and largest standards-setting and accrediting body in healthcare, evaluating more than 23,000 healthcare organizations and programs across the United States. As an independent, nonprofit organization, Joint Commission inspires healthcare organizations across all settings to excel in providing safe and effective care of the highest quality and value. About UNIFY(TM) UNIFY(TM) is Joint Commission's premier, flagship annual conference dedicated to advancing healthcare quality, patient safety, and organizational excellence. UNIFY fosters thought leadership and amplifies key voices across the healthcare industry, uniting stakeholders to address critical challenges and shape the future of healthcare and patient safety. Hannah Miller Joint Commission 630-792-5174 [email protected] Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.

Hackensack Meridian Health hospitals named among Newsweek's World's Greenest Hospitals 2026. Published: September 30, 2026 Hackensack Meridian Health is proud to announce that four of its hospitals have been named to Newsweek's inaugural World's Greenest Hospitals 2026 list, more than any other health network in New Jersey. The global ranking recognizes leading hospitals for their commitment to environmental sustainability and climate-conscious health care. The Hackensack Meridian Health hospitals recognized include: * Bayshore Medical Center * Hackensack University Medical Center * Jersey Shore University Medical Center * Riverview Medical Center Newsweek, in partnership with global data intelligence firm Statista, evaluated more than 4,000 hospitals worldwide for its first edition of the World's Greenest Hospitals ranking, ultimately ranking 250 hospitals across 36 countries. The ranking evaluates hospitals based on sustainability performance data, an international survey of health care sustainability experts, certifications and accreditations, environmental achievements and recognitions, commitments and pledges, and transparency in sustainability reporting. The ranking recognizes hospitals working to reduce their environmental footprint through efforts including reducing emissions, improving energy efficiency, responsibly managing waste, conserving water, and implementing innovative sustainability and governance practices. The Newsweek recognition builds on Hackensack Meridian Health's longstanding commitment to environmental leadership in the health care space. Earlier this year, the network and its hospitals were recognized by Practice Greenhealth, the nation's leading sustainable health care organization, for environmental excellence. Four Hackensack Meridian Health hospitals received Practice Greenhealth's prestigious Top 25 Environmental Excellence Award, with hospitals across the network also earning recognition in categories including chemicals, energy, governance and leadership, and sustainable procurement.