Hackensack Meridian Health has signed a definitive agreement to pick up Central New Jersey’s Hunterdon Health, a $230 million deal that would grow the state’s largest health system to 19 total hospitals.
The pair had signed a letter of intent to merge in June and are now pursuing state and federal regulatory reviews. The announcement did not outline a potential timeline for the merger’s close.
The agreement does outline a $200 million capital investment on behalf of Hackensack Meridian, which the nonprofits said would go toward facilities, programs and Central New Jersey communities Hunterdon serves.
Another $30 million will go toward rolling out Epic’s electronic health record, which is already in use at Hackensack Meridian, across Hunterdon’s footprint. The smaller system is headlined by Hunterdon Medical Center, a 184-bed teaching hospital, as well as ambulatory sites such as its more than 30 medical practices, its Hunterdon Medical Group and other participating independent physicians.
"Hunterdon Health has a long history of excellent, community-centered care,” Hackensack Meridian Health CEO Robert Garrett said in the announcement. “By investing in facilities, technology and clinical programs, we'll help ensure patients in this region can receive leading-edge care close to home, backed by the resources of our entire network. We look forward to welcoming Hunterdon Health's team members, physicians, and volunteers to the HMH family."
Hunterdon Health reported $509.5 million in total operating revenue, a 2.2% operating margin and $36.7 million net income in 2025, according to its audited financial statement, though 2026 year-to-date operating metrics shared by the organization through August outlined a -3.3% operating margin, and compared to the prior year’s end a drop in liquidity (from 196.3 days cash on hand to 181.5 days) and slight uptick in daily patient volume.
Hackensack Meridian Health reported nearly $9.8 billion in total operating revenues, a 4.1% operating margin and $1.5 billion bottom line. Formed in a 2016 merger, it includes more than 500 patient care locations and mor than 41,000 employees.
The organizations said that Hunterdon will maintain local board oversight for at least six years, with a representative of the smaller organization also joining Hackensack Meridian’s Board of Trustees and serving other appointments. Its Hunterdon Health Foundation charity arm will remain a separate organization, with funds raised sticking to the medical center and other local services.
Hunterdon’s systemwide leadership are slated to run day-to-day operations after the deal close, with Hunterdon Medical Center also keeping its own medical staff leadership system. Its medical group and clinically integrated network will be continued for at least five years. Meanwhile, Hackensack and Hunterdon “will jointly evaluate” expanding local services and ambulatory network.
"This agreement reflects months of careful work and a shared commitment to what matters most: our patients, our employees, our physicians, and our communities," Kristy Alfano, President and CEO of Hunterdon Health, said in the announcement. "Joining Hackensack Meridian Health will strengthen our ability to invest in our people, expand services and bring new technology and specialty expertise to our region. Just as important, the agreement keeps local leadership and community input at the heart of how Hunterdon Health serves its neighbors."