One of New Jersey’s last remaining independent hospitals is set to become part of a larger health system, as Englewood Health signs a definitive agreement to join RWJBarnabas Health.
The transaction, which remains subject to state and federal regulatory approvals, will reshape healthcare delivery across Bergen, Hudson and Passaic counties, expanding regional access to specialty and outpatient services.
A Scale-Driven Move — Not a Financial Rescue
Health system leaders emphasized that the merger is not driven by financial distress but by the increasing complexity of modern healthcare operations.
According to RWJBarnabas President and CEO Mark Manigan, the move reflects the realities of operating in a highly complex healthcare environment. By combining balance sheets and leveraging scale in purchasing, infrastructure, and technology investments, both organizations aim to improve efficiency and long-term sustainability.
In 2024, Englewood Health reported $1.19 billion in total revenue against $1.16 billion in operating expenses — underscoring stable financial performance rather than fiscal crisis.
Expanding Access to Advanced Care
RWJBarnabas Health stated that Englewood’s role as a primary provider in Bergen County will be strengthened through enhanced capital investment and expanded service lines.
The integration is expected to:
- Expand outpatient and community health programs
- Strengthen physician network capabilities
- Enhance technology and operational infrastructure
- Broaden access to specialized care services
Notably, Englewood patients will gain access to advanced oncology services through the Rutgers Cancer Institute — New Jersey’s only state-designated National Cancer Institute Comprehensive Cancer Center.
In June 2025, RWJBarnabas Health and Rutgers Cancer Institute opened the 12-story, 520,000-square-foot Jack & Sheryl Morris Cancer Center, a freestanding cancer hospital that is reportedly one of just 13 such facilities nationwide.
A Growing Regional Powerhouse
With the addition of Englewood, RWJBarnabas Health will expand to a 15-hospital system. Englewood itself operates one acute care hospital and more than 100 care locations, including physician practices, urgent care centers and imaging facilities.
The merger also follows earlier consolidation efforts in the state. In 2019, Hackensack Meridian Health announced a proposed merger with Englewood Health, pledging more than $400 million in investment to develop Englewood into a tertiary academic hub. That deal ultimately did not move forward.
The Bigger Picture
The transaction reflects a broader national trend: independent hospitals increasingly aligning with larger systems to navigate rising operational costs, digital transformation demands, reimbursement pressures and workforce challenges.
For New Jersey residents, the merger signals deeper integration of services — and potentially greater access to advanced specialty care — within one of the state’s largest health networks.
