Hackensack Meridian Health

Getting vaccinated is the best protection against the flu. During the 2024-25 flu season, 80.4% of all flu cases were in those who had not received the flu shot. Children and adolescents, along with adults aged 18-64, had the lowest vaccination rates among flu cases, with over 84% of cases in these groups occurring in unvaccinated individuals. Adults aged 65 and older had a significantly higher vaccination rate among flu-positive cases compared to younger groups, yet the majority (57.1%) of cases in this age bracket were still among the unvaccinated. Make an appointment for our children's vaccine clinics at https://lnkd.in/exgVCnWH. #flu #flushot #vaccine

Congratulations to the many best in class physicians at Hackensack Meridian Health named among New Jersey Monthly Magazine’s Top Doctors 2025 — all 321 of them. This impressive number includes a wide range of specialties and services across our 18 hospitals, and represents a nearly 50% increase over last year. Truly impressive! https://lnkd.in/eawwr3s2 

We are proud to announce that Hackensack Meridian Health Team Health has achieved certification from the National Association of Occupational Health Professionals. This prestigious recognition, granted to our occupational medicine program, honors the achievement of the highest national standards for quality, safety and operational efficiency. It is a direct result of the dedication to excellence of our team. Congratulations to the entire team on this exemplary honor! #occupationalhealth #teamhealth #occupationalmedicine

November 18 marks National Injury Prevention Day, and our adult and pediatric trauma centers, Hackensack University Medical Center and Jersey Shore University Medical Center, are lit up green to raise awareness of the impact of preventable injury. Today and every day, we are committed to share knowledge, resources and powerful stories to help keep our communities safe.

We are proud to announce the appointment of Dr. Gregory Sugalski, MD, MBA as the Hackensack University Medical Center chair of emergency medicine. Dr. Sugalski, who previously served as interim chair, brings a wealth of leadership experience and a distinguished record of service to the position. A decorated army veteran who served as an emergency medicine physician at Brooke Army Medical Center, he has held several key leadership positions at Hackensack including vice chair of the department of emergency medicine, chief of quality and patient safety and director of institutional throughput. His expertise has been instrumental in advancing the department in operational efficiency, patient safety and clinical excellence. We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Sugalski to his new role and are confident that our world-class team will thrive under his leadership. Read more: https://lnkd.in/ec3uf7v3 #emergencymedicine #healthcare #healthcareleadership

Congratulations to Dr. Jeffrey R. Boscamp, dean of the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, named to the 2025 NJBIZ Education Power List! Dr. Boscamp has been integral to the mission and vision of the school since its inception, collaborating with Robert C. Garrett and other leaders on a fresh way of training the doctors of the future. He continues to develop innovative programs and unique curriculum today, linking science with clinical relevance and humanitarian care in a collaborative environment. Our students, our team and our community are lucky to have Dr. Boscamp's leadership and insights. This is well deserved. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eduN_e47 #education #medicalschool #dean

“I always enjoyed helping people, and I always wanted to make a difference.” Mark D. Sparta has had many titles in his career. Today, he’s our chief operating officer – but he began as a licensed physical therapist. He was brought up in a family that valued caring for others. Growing up, his father was a teacher, and his grandfather a laborer on the railroad. Having immigrated to America, he didn’t speak much English, but he brought his values with him – and raised a family with them. They were passed on to Mark as he grew up next door, and helped his grandfather as he became a caretaker for widows’ properties after retirement. “He taught me the value of a work ethic, and that it was much better to help someone just because of the way it made you feel than it was to do something for money,” he says. These beliefs would determine the path Mark took. He obtained a bachelor of science in physical therapy, and began to put that care in action. He went to work at Hackensack University Medical Center, where one day, in a full circle moment, his grandfather would have a procedure. “I was practicing as a PT at that time, and I went up to see him. When the nurse came in to check on him, I said, ‘This is my grandfather,’ and he told us, ‘Marky, my boy, you’re going to run this place someday.’” His grandfather’s vision would prove true, as Mark’s commitment and care propelled his career forward. When the pandemic hit, he found people were looking to him. He was determined to be there for them all. “The most important thing I learned was that you must lead with confidence, and you can't be afraid. Even if you're afraid,” he says. “You can't be afraid to make a decision. Making no decision is worse than making the least optimal decision. Because otherwise you get run over.” Mark sees our culture as a direct connection to those unforgettable lessons his grandfather taught him, and what he learned as a physical therapist as crucial insights into leadership. “The whole value system and our beliefs at HMH aren't just words. I believe just about everyone is in it for the same reasons. It's that culture – we want to lead, we want to innovate, we want to do it better than everybody else and we want to do it better than we did last time.” He’s sure to keep those days of providing care with him, in more ways than one. “I have my license right here. It sits on my desk every day. You have got to stay connected to what you do, and why you do it, otherwise there's no sense in doing it.” #PeopleofHMH

Caring for our community is what we do, and promoting their safety, wellness and health is our priority. We’re proud to announce that eight of our hospitals have received “A” safety grades from the Leapfrog Group – more than any other health system in New Jersey: • Bayshore Medical Center • Hackensack University Medical Center • Jersey Shore University Medical Center • Ocean University Medical Center • Pascack Valley Medical Center • Raritan Bay Medical Center • Riverview Medical Center • Southern Ocean Medical Center Congratulations to our incredible team members, whose care and dedication have led to this extraordinary achievement. A special recognition for Hackensack, Jersey Shore and Ocean University Medical Centers who received a “Straight A” designation for earning an “A” grade for five or more consecutive cycles. Read more: https://lnkd.in/e5ZY33v2 #patientsafety #health #healthcare

Congratulations to the Hackensack Meridian Health leaders representing our network at the Becker's Healthcare 13th Annual CEO + CFO Round Table in Chicago last week. Lisa Tank, M.D., MBA, FACP, president and chief hospital executive of Hackensack University Medical Center; Lisa Iachetti, president and chief hospital executive of Palisades Medical Center; Jose Azar, executive vice president, chief quality officer and clinical service line officer and Patrick Young, president of population health, are in attendance and contributing to vital conversations that will shape the future of health care. #healthcare #healthcareinnovation #ceo #cfo

I spoke with CBS News about new findings linking melatonin use to potential heart failure risk. While melatonin is often viewed as a safe, over-the-counter supplement, recent studies suggest we should take a closer look at how it affects the cardiovascular system. Watch the full CBS segment below to learn more. Hackensack Meridian Health CBS #melatonin #hearthealth https://lnkd.in/egdy39-C