Hackensack Meridian Health is the Only Organization in New Jersey and Among 10 Nationwide Named to Modern Healthcare’s 2024 Innovators List   

Hackensack Meridian Health is the Only Organization in New Jersey and Among 10 Nationwide Named to Modern Healthcare’s 2024 Innovators List

Hackensack Meridian Health, New Jersey’s largest and most comprehensive health network, is proud to announce the network has been named one of Modern Healthcare’s 2024 Innovators. Modern Healthcare’s Innovators Awards and recognition program recognizes leaders and organizations driving innovation that improves care, achieves measurable results, and contributes to the clinical and financial goals of the organization. Hackensack Meridian Health achieved this recognition for:

  • Establishing the Center for Discovery and Innovation, which includes 32 laboratories and employs 190 scientists and staff and whose scientists created one of the first PCR tests for COVID-19.
  • Creating the HMH Research Institute to coordinate research and advancements across the Center for Discovery and Innovation and Hackensack Meridian care locations. Through this institute, more than 250 principal investigators are conducting active studies.
  • Launching innovation challenges that invited the participation of all 35,000 employees and linked to network strategic goals, with the six winning ideas piloted in hospitals.

“At Hackensack Meridian Health, we’re dedicated to transforming healthcare delivery and ensuring the best possible outcomes for our patients,” said Robert C. Garrett, FACHE, CEO, Hackensack Meridian Health. “This accolade is a testament to the ingenuity of our entire team. Their pursuit of excellence is making a difference in the lives of our patients today and for generations to come.”

Through the CDI, the network is addressing the needs of communities around New Jersey with strategic, patient-focused initiatives and research. The CDI was established to conduct science with clinical impact by translating, in real-time, insights from molecular and cellular science to improve patient outcomes. To support CDI, the network established the Hackensack Meridian Health Research Institute (HMHRI) to operate a connected research ecosystem linking the CDI and all health network sites dedicated to accelerating discovery, innovation, and translation of scientific breakthroughs to address unmet clinical needs. The network is engaged in high translational research characterized by clinical excellence, utilizing cutting-edge science, advanced data science to improve clinical outcomes, and population health in the communities it serves.

Founded in 2019, the CDI comprises 32 state-of-the-art laboratories and more than 190 scientists and staff. CDI scientists developed one of the first FDA-Emergency Use Authorization PCR tests for COVID-19, and now it’s leading two national NIH-supported drug accelerators to develop next-generation therapeutics to overcome drug resistant bacterial and viral pandemic infections.

“The Center for Discovery and Innovation is helping us usher in a new era of healthcare excellence,” said Ihor Sawczuk, M.D., FACS, Hackensack Meridian Health’s president of Academics, Research and Innovation, founding chair of the Hackensack Meridian Health Research Institute, and also associate dean of Clinical Integration and professor and chair emeritus of Urology at the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine. “Our goal is to not only address current healthcare challenges but also to anticipate the future needs of our communities and the healthcare ecosystem. Being named one of Modern Healthcare’s 2024 innovators is a proud moment for all of us at Hackensack Meridian Health, and we will continue to raise the standard of innovation in both clinical and research settings.”

At Hackensack Meridian Health, innovation is in the network’s DNA. In addition to the work conducted by CDI, the network has implemented numerous innovation initiatives across the organization, including the following:

  • Hackensack Meridian Health’s “Bear’s Den” innovation program facilitates and supports breakthroughs in healthcare technology and delivery. The Bear’s Den convenes a panel of industry experts to evaluate innovative health care products and services, establish strategic partnerships, and provide funding to bring promising ideas to market. The panel meets throughout the year to review the most promising ideas for health care innovations — including ideas submitted by Hackensack Meridian Health team members.
  • The network is also innovating medical education through the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine’s Human Dimension program, which embraces service-learning experiences and an integrated curriculum, training students to understand the Social Determinants of Health. Throughout the entirety of their medical education, students meet in pairs with people in underserved areas to understand how socio-economic factors impact healthcare. Even before they write their first prescriptions as physicians, they understand how safe housing and access to nutritious food and transportation can greatly impact health. The medical school has developed strategic initiatives that encourage life-long learning, problem-solving, and innovating to build critical educational foundations for future doctors.
  • Hackensack Meridian Health facilitated several network-wide innovation challenges, allowing all 35,000 team members to participate in strategic problem-solving. The goal of these challenges is to give every team member an opportunity to creatively contribute towards addressing healthcare challenges and enhancing the network’s quality of care.

“The role of innovation has always been paramount in healthcare, and our 2024 honorees as top Innovators are driving real change in the industry,” said Mary Ellen Podmolik, editor in chief of Modern Healthcare. “The wide variety of projects underway by these executives and organizations demonstrates a dedication to tackling the ‘what ifs’ that can improve the delivery of healthcare and improve communities and the patient experience.”

The profiles of the honorees are featured in the April 8, 2024 issue of MH magazine and online at ModernHealthcare.com/Innovator-Awards.


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