James and Sharon Maida Geriatrics Institute at Hamilton, part of RWJBarnabas Health Medical Group, has received national recognition as an Age-Friendly Health System Committed to Care Excellence. The designation is awarded by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) to organizations that demonstrate high standards in delivering evidence-based care to older adults.
The institute, led by Dr. Sara Ali, specializes in geriatric medicine and is located in Hamilton, New Jersey. The Age-Friendly Health System recognition highlights the organization’s leadership in providing care that is reliable, respectful, and aligned with the needs of older adults.
“This designation reflects our ongoing commitment to delivering high-quality, patient-centered care across every stage of life,” said Michael Prilutsky, President & CEO of RWJBarnabas Health Medical Group. “We are proud of the James and Sharon Maida Geriatrics Institute for advancing age-friendly care that supports older adults and the communities we serve.”
As a result of this recognition, the institute will be featured in IHI communications and listed on www.ihi.org/AgeFriendly.
“Achieving Level 2 Age-Friendly Health System recognition for our Geriatric Medical Group Practice is a meaningful milestone and a powerful reflection of who we are as organization,” said Lisa Breza, Chief Administrative Officer at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton (RWJUH Hamilton), which is also part of RWJBarnabas Health. “Recognition by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) for care excellence for older adults now across both our hospital and medical group practice reflects strong alignment throughout our continuum of care and ensures patients receive compassionate, coordinated experience wherever they access our services.” RWJUH Hamilton previously achieved Level 2 recognition in 2025.
“This recognition reflects our commitment to provide reliable, respectable, and evidence-based care that aligns with what matters most to older adults”, said Dr. Ali. “Our team is proud to continue advancing age-friendly care for the communities we serve.”
Dr. Ali and her team plan to continue working with IHI to further improve care for older adults within their service area.
RWJBarnabas Health serves more than five million people annually through its network of 14 hospitals and over 700 patient locations across New Jersey. It partners with local communities on health initiatives addressing food insecurity, housing needs, and economic opportunities while maintaining partnerships with Rutgers University—including operating alongside Rutgers Cancer Institute—and employs more than 43,000 people statewide.
RWJBarnabas Health Medical Group includes over 2,500 providers offering primary and specialty care throughout New Jersey. According to Becker’s ACS Review in 2023 (https://www.beckersasc.com/asc-news/the-20-largest-independent-physician-groups-in-the-us.html), it was ranked as the fourth largest medical group nationally.
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton provides a range of specialized services including heart and vascular care; stroke treatment; cancer services through its partnership with Rutgers Cancer Institute; orthopedic surgery; bariatric surgery; women’s health; rehabilitation therapies; wound care; sleep center; balance/hearing center; infusion services; outpatient diagnostics/treatment; geriatrics/senior wellness programs among others.
For appointments at James and Sharon Maida Geriatrics Institute at Hamilton: call 609-245-7430 or visit rwjbh.org/Hamilton.
