3 Camden Co. Hospitals Ranked Among Nation's Best By U.S. News

CAMDEN COUNTY, NJ — Three Camden County hospitals rate among the best in the nation, according to U.S. News and World Report's 2024-2025 Best Hospitals ranking.

U.S. News highlighted 466 of the "Best Regional Hospitals" around the nation, ranking hospitals in each state and metro area. Cooper University Health Care in Camden ranked seventh in the state, while Jefferson Health's New Jersey hospitals placed eighth.

• Read more: These Are The Top-Ranked Hospitals In NJ: U.S. News Ranking

Jefferson Health has two hospitals in Camden County (Cherry Hill and Stratford) and another in Washington Township.

Cooper University Hospital was rated highly in 10 procedures and specialty areas:

• Leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma.
• Colon cancer surgery.
• Prostate cancer surgery.
• Abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.
• Heart attack.
• Aortic valve surgery.
• Heart bypass surgery.
• Heart failure.
• Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).
• Maternity care (uncomplicated pregnancy).

Cooper is one of South Jersey's largest health care providers, with a network that includes its 663-bed flagship hospital in Camden. Recently, Cooper acquired Cape Regional Medical Center in Cape May County, renaming it Cooper University Hospital Cape Regional when the merger took effect July 1.

Three members of its board of trustees have also been indicted in a major corruption probe, including George Norcross III, the board's executive chairman. Norcross and his co-defendants pushed a nonprofit out of purchasing a Camden development eyed as a possible location for Cooper Health offices, according to a 111-page indictment unsealed last month.

Members of the so-called "Norcross Enterprise" threatened the nonprofit CEO into a deal that allowed George Norcross's chosen developer to purchase the building at a discounted price available to the nonprofit. As a result, Cooper Health obtained more than $27 million in tax credit from 2016-22, the indictment says.

Norcross and co-defendants Philip Norcross and Sidney Brown will continue to serve on the board during the case, a Cooper spokesperson told Patch.

Norcross pleaded not guilty last week to first-degree racketeering and other charges. He has remained the face of Cooper Health administration during the legal proceedings, touting Cooper's U.S. News rankings in a news release.

"We are proud that once again U.S. News & World Report has recognized Cooper University Health Care for its exceptional quality care and outstanding outcomes," Norcross said. "Our ranking among top hospitals and our high-performance ratings in multiple specialty areas places us among the nation's best for quality and safety and as the top hospital in South Jersey."

Meanwhile, Jefferson Health's South Jersey hospitals rate highly in several procedures and specialties, according to U.S. News:

• Congestive Heart Failure
• Hip Replacement
• Knee Replacement
• Leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
• Pneumonia
• Kidney Failure

"These results speak to Jefferson’s unwavering dedication to delivering high-quality, culturally competent, and compassionate healthcare," said Dr. Baligh Yehia, president of Jefferson Health. "Our commitment to uncompromising care reaches far beyond the walls of individual hospitals; it is the heartbeat of our entire healthcare system."

Cooper ranked 11th among Metro Philadelphia hospitals, while Jefferson Health Stratford, Cherry Hill and Washington Township placed 12th.