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Dr. Nicole Harris-Hollingsworth, vice president, Social Determinants of Health, ranked #19; Dr. David Perlin, chief scientific officer and senior vice president, Hackensack Meridian Center for Discovery and Innovation, ranked #20, along with nine other leaders named as honorees

Hackensack Meridian Health, New Jersey’s largest and most comprehensive health system, is proud to announce that Robert Garrett, FACHE and the network’s chief executive officer has been named to the ROI-NJ 2022 Health Care Influencers list. Eleven other network leaders were also honored on the list.

“At Hackensack Meridian Health we share a sincere commitment to improving the healthcare landscape. Thanks to Bob’s leadership and our world-class team members, no organization is better positioned to transform healthcare,” said Frank L. Fekete, CPA, chairman, Hackensack Meridian Health Board of Trustees. “We congratulate Bob on this achievement and his ongoing leadership in elevating the standard of care here in New Jersey and beyond.”

ROI-NJ said Garrett was recognized as a top healthcare leader because he “always is the most active CEO in the state. This year is no exception. HMH not only is opening a Long Term Acute Care Hospital (in Perth Amboy), an ambulatory care center in Eatontown (with three more coming soon) and expanding the system’s oncology services (to Neptune, Wayne and soon Totowa), it’s at the forefront of efforts to understand and improve health equity. Then there’s this: Garrett and HMH are working with the United Nations and World Health Organization in an effort to create programs to identity and fight human trafficking.”

Garrett was joined by other notable Hackensack Meridian Health leaders named to the list for their contributions to the future of health care in New Jersey:

Top 25:

• Nicole Harris-Hollingsworth, Ed.D., MCHES, vice president, Social Determinants of Health (#19). Dr. Harris-Hollingsworth is recognized for her leadership in addressing inequities in healthcare by unifying patients’ medical and social needs.
• David S. Perlin, Ph.D., chief scientific officer and senior vice president of the Hackensack Meridian Center for Discovery and Innovation (CDI) (#20). Under Dr. Perlin’s leadership, CDI is keeping New Jersey at the forefront of innovation.

Global Giants:

• Tom Polen, member, Hackensack Meridian Health Center for Discovery and Innovation Board of Directors; chairman, CEO, and president of Becton, Dickinson and Company. Polen is honored for his unprecedented leadership, having stepped into an executive role during the pandemic and overcoming pressing supply-chain issues to supply COVID-19 tests, syringes, and essential medical equipment.

Hospital Heroes:

• Kenneth Esser, chief of staff, senior vice president, Care Transformation Services (CTS), Behavioral Health, and special adviser to the CEO. The “connector” of Hackensack Meridian Health, Esser spearheads strategy for the continued expansion of the network’s behavioral health services.
• Regina Foley, Ph.D., MBA, RN, executive vice president, chief transformation officer of Integration/Transformation. Foley oversees several critical initiatives, including the expansions of the John Theurer Cancer Center to the Hope Tower at Jersey Shore University Medical Center, the kidney transplant program and the oncology services in partnership with St. Joseph’s Health.
• Linda McHugh, M.T., MBA, chief experience and people officer. McHugh has been the driving force to retain and attract health care professionals in the most challenging staffing crisis the industry has ever faced by implementing more support — and more compensation — for Hackensack Meridian Health’s 36,000+ workers.
• Avonia Richardson-Miller, Ed.D., MA, CDE®, senior vice president, chief diversity officer. Richardson-Miller’s efforts resulted in Hackensack Meridian Health’s No. 4 ranking on Diversity Inc.’s 2022 Top Hospitals & Health Systems, including the establishment of a network-wide goal for tying executive compensation to measurable DEI metrics, while dramatically increasing spending with diverse suppliers.
• Mark Sparta, FACHE, president, North Region, president and chief hospital executive, Hackensack University Medical Center. Sparta is recognized for his commitment to leading teams at Palisades Medical Center and Hackensack University Medical Center, and joint venture relationships with Mountainside Medical Center, Pascack Valley Medical Center.
• Daniel W. Varga, MD, chief physician executive. Dr. Varga is Hackensack Meridian Health’s leading physician, overseeing the clinical response and best practices across the network.

Sector Stars:

• Ulises Diaz, member, Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine Board of Governors; senior vice president of Government Affairs of Horizon Blue Cross Blue

Shield of New Jersey. Diaz is recognized for his invaluable guidance in managing and overseeing the School of Medicine.

• Jennifer Velez, member, Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine Board of Governors; senior vice president and general counsel of Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey. Velez is hailed as one of New Jersey’s most widely respected health care executives, bringing a diverse set of experience to her role at School of Medicine.

“Our leaders have taken on their roles with care and distinction, characteristics pivotal to the network’s mission of delivering accessible, equitable health care in New Jersey,” continued Fekete. “Each of them have answered the call of duty in their respective positions. We are grateful for their dedication, expertise and commitment in directing our teams, while ensuring our patients receive the high-quality compassionate care they deserve.”

Selections for the ROI Influencers lists are made by the editorial department of ROI-NJ.

Honorees are chosen through a process that includes input and opinion from the Editorial department as well as numerous thought leaders from around the state.

View all of the honorees here.