Hackensack Meridian Health CEO Robert C. Garrett Once Again Recognized as One of Modern Healthcare’s 100 Most Influential People

Hackensack Meridian Health, New Jersey’s largest and most comprehensive health system, is proud to announce that Robert C. Garrett, FACHE, chief executive officer of Hackensack Meridian Health, was recognized by Modern Healthcare as one of the 100 Most Influential People in Healthcare of 2024 for the third year in a row. Garrett is one of only 34 health system and hospital CEOs, and the only one in New Jersey on the national list. The complete ranking can be found in the December 9 issue of MH magazine, and all profiles of the honorees are available online at ModernHealthcare.com/100MostInfluential.

This prestigious recognition program acknowledges and honors individuals who are deemed by their peers and the senior editors of Modern Healthcare to be the most influential figures in the industry in terms of leadership and impact.

“Bob Garrett is leading an extraordinary healthcare transformation in New Jersey and beyond,” said Keith Banks, chair, Hackensack Meridian Health Board of Trustees. “Bob’s visionary leadership inspires our team members, partners, and the broader community to embrace innovation in pursuit of a healthier future. We look forward to seeing how he will continue to raise the standard of excellence to meet the unique and ever-changing needs of the communities we proudly serve."

Mr. Garrett has served the Hackensack Meridian Health organization for over four decades. Throughout his tenure, he has worked tirelessly to transform healthcare regionally and globally, advancing Hackensack Meridian Health as a high-reliability organization, resulting in improved patient outcomes, greater health equity and a culture of innovation.

He has led network initiatives that elevate and expand access to care, enhance research and discovery, innovate medical education, and improve quality outcomes. Over the next several years, the network will invest $3.2 billion in infrastructure for hospital expansions, new outpatient centers, and improvements to existing state-of-the-art facilities that are streamlining patient care and improving outcomes.

Under Mr. Garrett’s leadership, the network has been recognized as a leader in quality and health equity and has the #1 adult and children’s hospitals in New Jersey. This year, Hackensack Meridian Health was certified a Great Place to Work for the ninth time, has been named a Fortune Best Workplace in Healthcare and is now recognized as a Best Workplace for Women.

Mr. Garrett championed the establishment of the Hackensack Meridian Center for Discovery and Innovation (CDI), which has grown to include 180 scientists working on $175 million in research commitments over the next five years. In addition, he was instrumental in establishing the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, which has graduated more than 268 students, helping to strengthen the physician pipeline and diversifying the physician workforce in New Jersey. He also led his team to implement a comprehensive and robust social determinants of health (SDOH) program that provides integrated care management, resulting in 1.4 million patient screenings and 4.5 million referrals.

Mr. Garrett also serves as the chair of the World Economic Forum (WEF) Health and Healthcare Governor’s Community, overseeing a committee of Global CEOs. In Davos in January 2024, the group focused on harnessing the power of Al to address global health challenges. Mr. Garrett presented the keynote address at the HIMSS conference in March 2024 regarding AI innovations.

Additionally, Mr. Garrett recently participated in a CEO panel discussion at S&P Global’s Health Care Hot Topics events, sharing key goals for the Hackensack Meridian Health network including the expansion of ambulatory care, implementation of AI and digital transformation, the robust response to workforce challenges and retention and the network’s mission to make healthcare more accessible, affordable and convenient.

For more information about the Modern Healthcare 100 Most Influential People in Healthcare list, visit: ModernHealthcare.com/100MostInfluential.