Hackensack Meridian Southern Ocean Medical Center Achieves Geriatric ED Accreditation

Manahawkin, NJ, June 25, 2026… Hackensack Meridian Southern Ocean Medical Center has achieved Geriatric Emergency Department (ED) accreditation from the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP).  

The accreditation acknowledges the medical center’s commitment to ensuring older patients receive well-coordinated, high-quality care at the appropriate level during every emergency department visit.  Within the Hackensack Meridian Health network, the accreditation is also held by Jersey Shore University Medical Center and Hackensack University Medical Center. 

Geriatric EDs embrace a variety of best practices, including geriatric-focused education, interdisciplinary staffing, and standardized approaches to care that address common geriatric issues, such as cancer, COPD, arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, dementia, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Diseases, and others.  Geriatric EDs provide optimal transitions of care to other settings; inpatient, home, community-based care, rehabilitation,  or long-term care and focus on quality improvement for older patients and enhancements of the physical environment and supplies.

“With Ocean County having the largest senior population in the state, this accreditation is an important validation of the high-level care Southern Ocean Medical Center already provides to our communities. From elective and emergency angioplasty through our Armellino Family Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory to the care provided through our designated Primary Stroke Center and more, our services are designed to address the unique needs of our older patients,” said Brian Walch, M.S., PT, MBA, president and chief hospital executive, Southern Ocean Medical Center. 

“About one third of residents in Ocean County are 60 and older.  ED visits for this population occur at a higher rate than for non-seniors, and these patients often require more complex care due to chronic conditions. At Southern Ocean Medical Center, our team is more than prepared to address these needs and continually strives to improve patient outcomes,” added Paul Mastrokyriakos, D.O., medical director, Emergency Department, Southern Ocean Medical Center.

The Geriatric ED accreditation is among other national recognitions for Southern Ocean Medical Center for demonstrating safety and clinical quality, including a focus on the older population. These include a Leapfrog Hospital Safety Rating of ‘A’ for spring 2026; Primary Stroke Center recertification by The Joint Commission for 2025; 2025 American College of Cardiology (ACC) Heart Failure Center Gold Accreditation plus Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite and Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll; and ACC HeartCARE Center National Distinction of Excellence recognition for high-quality cardiovascular care.

For more information about emergency care at Southern Ocean Medical Center and HMH, visit www.hackensackmeridianhealth.org/en/services/emergency-care.      

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