HMH Joseph M. Sanzari Children's Hospital at HUMC

Does the thought of your child needing specialized medical care cause you worry? You are not alone. Finding a children’s hospital with expert doctors and top-tier facilities is critical for peace of mind. The HMH Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital at HUMC offers exactly that level of comprehensive, advanced care. This hospital provides specialized treatments for children with the most complex and life-threatening conditions.

We will explore why this institution remains a trusted leader in pediatric healthcare across New Jersey and the entire region.

Overview of Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital

This hospital stands as a premier acute care facility dedicated only to children. It is located on the Hackensack University Medical Center (HUMC) campus. It has 105 total beds and provides care for newborns up to young adults aged 22. The hospital is a full institutional member of the National Association of Children’s Hospitals. Families rely on this hospital for both common illnesses and highly specialized services. They appreciate the focus on family-centered care at every step.

About HMH Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital

History and Development

The Children’s Hospital at Hackensack University Medical Center was opened in March 2006. It is housed within the Sarkis and Siran Gabrellian Women’s and Children’s Pavilion. This structure allows new mothers to remain in the same building as their newborns needing critical care.

The hospital was renamed the Joseph M Sanzari Children’s Hospital after receiving a major philanthropic gift. This generous donation helped the hospital expand its services and build specialized units. The facility’s design has even won awards for being environmentally innovative.

Patient Care Units

The hospital has many different units to treat children of all ages and conditions. These units focus on providing intense, specific care when it is needed most.

The following are key specialized units at the hospital:

Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU): This unit has 15 beds for children with severe or life-threatening conditions.
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU): This is a 40-bed, Level III unit that provides critical care for the tiniest and sickest newborns.
Inpatient Pediatric Oncology Unit: This dedicated 16-bed unit focuses on children fighting cancer and blood disorders.
General Inpatient Pediatric Unit: This 28-bed unit cares for children recovering from surgery or managing general medical issues.

Services and Pediatric Specialties

The hospital offers full services in nearly every pediatric subspecialty. They are known for providing quaternary care, which is the most complex level of medicine.

The hospital offers advanced services that draw patients from far away, including:

Pediatric Kidney Transplantation: They offer life-saving transplant procedures for children.
Epilepsy Surgery: They perform specialized brain surgery to control severe seizures.
Blood and Marrow and Stem Cell Transplantation: They run New Jersey’s only program for children with cancer or genetic conditions.
Level II Pediatric Trauma Center: This designation means they have the expertise to stabilize and treat seriously injured children quickly.

Facilities and Advanced Technology

The facility is truly state-of-the-art. It provides advanced diagnostic imaging and surgical suites designed specifically for young bodies. They use innovative technology like precision robotics in complex surgeries. This helps doctors work with incredible accuracy. Having the Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital located at HUMC also gives children immediate access to adult subspecialists when needed.

Awards and Certifications

The commitment to high-quality care is proven by the hospital’s many awards and certifications. These honors show that experts recognize their dedication to safety and excellence.

I have seen firsthand how these rankings boost staff morale, which translates into better patient outcomes. It confirms they are doing things right.

Here is a list of major honors the hospital has recently received:

U.S. News & World Report: The hospital consistently ranks as the #1 Children’s Hospital in New Jersey for multiple consecutive years.
National Rankings: Their combined pediatric cancer program is often ranked nationally in the Top 50. Their pediatric neurology and neurosurgery program also ranks nationally in the Top 50.
Magnet Designation: The hospital has received the ANCC Magnet Recognition for nursing excellence. This is the highest honor for nursing care quality.

Ratings and Patient Experience

Patient experience is vital at any children’s hospital. Ratings show that the care is not just technically good, but also compassionate and supportive. The facility is known for providing child- and family-focused care. They prioritize making the environment less scary for children.

For example, they offer four studio apartments in the Audrey Hepburn Children’s House for families staying near their hospitalized children.

Patient and Visitor Information

Visiting a sick child can be stressful. The hospital provides several helpful services to make the experience easier for families.

MyChart and Medical Records Access

The hospital uses the MyChart system. This online tool lets parents view their child’s medical records securely from home. You can review test results, check appointment details, and communicate with the care team easily. For official medical records, you can contact the Medical Records department directly.

You can contact the Medical Records department here:

Phone: 551-996-2075

Guest Services, Campus Map, and Amenities

The hospital offers many guest services to support families during their stay. This includes social work services, chaplain services, and child life specialists. These specialists help children cope with being in the hospital through play and education. The campus map is essential for finding your way around the large Hackensack University Medical Center facility.

Parking and Valet Services

The hospital offers parking in several dedicated garages on the HUMC campus. The main Women’s & Children’s pavilion usually has operating hours for their specific parking area. They also provide convenient valet services.

Key Visitor Information:

Address: 30 Prospect Avenue, Hackensack, NJ 07601
Main Hospital Number: 551-996-2000
Handicap Parking: Available in all garages
Handicap Valet: Offered at the Medical Plaza for a small fee

Education and Research

The best children’s hospitals are also major centers for learning and discovery. Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital is dedicated to training future doctors and finding new treatments.

Pediatric Residency and Fellowship Programs

The hospital runs a comprehensive Pediatric Residency Program. This program trains new doctors to become outstanding pediatricians. The program provides strong clinical skills, research experience, and mentorship. Residents get exposure to a wide variety of cases, from general care to complex subspecialty pediatrics. This ensures that the hospital stays on top of the newest medical knowledge.

Clinical Trials and Research Collaborations

The Children’s Cancer Institute at this hospital is a powerhouse for pediatric cancer research. They have over 100 active oncology and transplant clinical trials open. This research is truly leading the way to finding cures. For example, they were one of the first hospitals to be certified for the advanced CAR-T cell therapy for children with leukemia. They also collaborate with the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine.

Community Engagement and Support

The hospital connects deeply with its community, especially through powerful fundraising initiatives. These programs help fund critical research and patient support services.

Tackle Kids Cancer and Foundation Partnerships

The Tackle Kids Cancer initiative directly supports the Children’s Cancer Institute at Hackensack, helping fund vital pediatric cancer research and care programs. One hundred percent of the money raised supports pediatric cancer research and programs. This support helps fund new clinical trials and provide special programs for the children fighting cancer. This foundation partnership shows how the community actively supports the vital work done at the hospital.

Donations, Giving, and Volunteer Programs

The hospital encourages community members to get involved. Donations help fund essential patient services like Child Life programs. Volunteers also play a major role in making a child’s stay more comfortable and fun. Organizations like The Jared Box Project work with the hospital’s Child Life team to deliver toys to patients.

How to Access Care at HMH Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital

Accessing specialty care starts with knowing where to go and who to call.

Finding a Pediatrician or Specialist

The hospital has over 100 full-time faculty members and a huge network of specialists. You can easily find a pediatrician or subspecialist through the Hackensack Meridian Health website directory. They cover every major pediatric area, including cardiology, endocrinology, and neurosurgery.

Appointment Scheduling and Referrals

For general appointments or initial consultations, families often need a referral from their primary care pediatrician. Once you have a referral, you can call the main scheduling line for the specific department you need. For the Children’s Cancer Institute, for example, you can call the following number.

Call this number for appointments at the Children’s Cancer Institute:

Phone: 551-996-5437

Contact and Location Information

Knowing the location and key phone numbers is helpful for every visit. The hospital is very easy to access in Northern New Jersey.

Here is the essential contact and location information:

Information Type	Detail
Full Address	30 Prospect Avenue, Hackensack, NJ 07601
Main Phone Number	551-996-2000
Hospital Network	Hackensack Meridian Health
Trauma Designation	Level II Pediatric Trauma Center

Conclusion

The HMH Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital at HUMC is truly a regional powerhouse for pediatric care. It is a place where cutting-edge medicine meets deep compassion. The staff provides specialized care that protects the health and future of every child.

Why Families Trust Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital

Families trust this hospital because of its confirmed record of excellence. National rankings and the advanced facilities speak for themselves. Most importantly, the hospital focuses on the entire family, not just the patient.

By prioritizing research, training, and community engagement, the Joseph Sanzari hospital promises to deliver the best possible care for the children of New Jersey for many years to come.