The CARES Surgicenter, part of Saint Peter’s Healthcare System, has been ranked as the top ambulatory surgery center in New Jersey by Newsweek magazine. This marks the sixth consecutive year that the facility has been included in Newsweek’s list of Best Ambulatory Surgery Centers and the first time it holds the number one position in the state.
Newsweek’s “America’s Best Ambulatory Surgery Centers 2026” list recognizes 700 leading centers across the United States. The rankings are based on four criteria: quality metrics, peer evaluation, patient experience, and accreditations. Ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) have become an integral part of healthcare in the U.S., allowing patients to undergo certain surgical procedures without overnight hospitalization. This approach enables patients to return home on the same day and helps reduce medical costs for both patients and healthcare systems.
“The title of ‘America’s Best Ambulatory Surgery Centers’ reinforces Saint Peter’s reputation as a center that provides outstanding patient experience with exceptional quality of care, ensuring patient safety, and achieving positive surgical outcomes,” according to the announcement from Saint Peter’s Healthcare System.
National health authorities have noted a growing trend toward shifting surgical procedures from hospitals to ambulatory surgical centers. The National Institutes of Health has reported that this shift aims to optimize where surgeries are performed. The American Hospital Association also points out that patients increasingly seek more affordable, efficient, and convenient care options, prompting providers to invest further in ASCs. Industry research suggests that the U.S. market for ambulatory surgery centers could reach $33 billion by 2028.
The CARES Surgicenter is located at 240 Easton Avenue in New Brunswick, directly across from The Children’s Hospital at Saint Peter’s University Hospital. More information can be found at saintpetershcs.com/CARESsurgicenter.
Saint Peter’s Healthcare System includes several entities such as Saint Peter’s University Hospital—a 478-bed teaching hospital with a Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit—Saint Peter’s Foundation, Saint Peter’s Health and Management Services Corporation, CARES Surgicenter itself, and Saint Peter’s Physician Associates network. The system is sponsored by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Metuchen and serves as a major clinical affiliate for Rutgers Biomedical Health and Sciences.
