Hackensack Meridian Health Names New Hospital Executives in Southern Market

Vito Buccellato and Jason Kreitner appointed Chief Hospital Executives for Jersey Shore University Medical Center and Ocean Medical Center, respectively.

Hackensack Meridian Health has announced the appointments of new leaders for two hospitals in Monmouth and Ocean counties. Vito Buccellato, MPA, LNHA, is the new chief hospital executive at Hackensack Meridian Health Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, and Jason Kreitner, FACHE, is the new chief hospital executive at Hackensack Meridian Health Ocean Medical Center in Brick. Both site executives report to Kenneth N. Sable, M.D., MBA, FACEP, who was recently named regional president, southern market of Hackensack Meridian Health.

“These seasoned leaders will play an important role in our new organizational structure, helping to accelerate our ability to improve quality, access, affordability and the patient experience in the southern regional market,” said Robert C. Garrett, FACHE, CEO of Hackensack Meridian Health. “They are part of a cohesive team that will help to align all of our services around the patient to ensure better coordination and outcomes.”

In his new role, Vito Buccellato is responsible for all aspects of inpatient, outpatient, emergency, research and academic services at the 618-bed teaching hospital, which is the only Level II Trauma and Level II Pediatric Trauma Center in Monmouth and Ocean counties. Jersey Shore University Medical Center is home to K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital, is the leading cardiac provider in the region, has a comprehensive clinical research program, and serves as an academic center dedicated to advancing medical knowledge and training future physicians. The medical center is also home to HOPE Tower, the hospital’s new $265 million outpatient facility.

Jason Kreitner now leads Ocean Medical Center, a 317-bed advanced care hospital with top specialists in emergency, cardiovascular, women’s health, cancer and orthopedic services. It is home to an $82 million expansion that boasts a state-of-the-art Emergency Department and one of the most innovative medical-surgical units that integrates technology and design to transform the patient experience. The medical center recently launched teaching programs with family medicine and psychiatry residents. Ocean Medical Center is also home to Shore Rehab with 40 sub-acute beds as well as its Ocean Care Center’s Satellite Emergency Department located in Point Pleasant.

“Both medical centers are ranked as top 10 New Jersey hospitals in U.S. News & World Report, and we’re excited to have such exceptional leadership build upon the momentum and high standards that exist at these hospitals,” says Dr. Sable. “Their commitment to a team environment and strong culture will enhance the outstanding services and offerings that support the health care needs of our region.”

Buccellato is an accomplished health care executive with 35 years of experience. For the past two years, he was chief operating officer at Ocean Medical Center. Prior to that, he served as chief operating officer for the Visiting Nurses Association Health Group and the chief operating officer for Coney Island Hospital. He was also the vice president for clinical services and executive vice president for long-term care, assisted living and adult day care for Brookdale University Hospital Medical Center.

He serves on the Board of the Brick Housing and Community Development Corporation. Most recently, Buccellato served on the Board of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ocean County. In addition, he served as vice chair for Medysis Credit Union, vice chair of Metropolitan Health Administrators, and served as a board member of Neighborhood Health Providers.

Kreitner began his career at Hackensack University Medical Center more than 20 years ago as a radiation therapist. He advanced through many leadership roles, including director of Diagnostic

Imaging, administrator of Clinical Services, vice president of Operations, and most recently vice president, senior operations officer.

Jason is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, is a past president of the American College of Healthcare Executives of New Jersey and currently is a member of the College’s Regents Advisory Council.

“Hackensack Meridian Health is well positioned for the future, and we are confident these talented leaders will ensure we continue to provide quality and cost efficient care, and keep the patient experience at the center of everything we do,” added Garrett.

ABOUT HACKENSACK MERIDIAN HEALTH

Hackensack Meridian Health is a leading not-for-profit health care organization that is the largest, most comprehensive and truly integrated health care network in New Jersey, offering a complete range of medical services, innovative research and life-enhancing care.

Hackensack Meridian Health comprises 17 hospitals from Bergen to Ocean counties, which includes three academic medical centers – Hackensack University Medical Center in Hackensack, Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, JFK Medical Center in Edison; two children’s hospitals - Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital in Hackensack, K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital in Neptune; nine community hospitals – Bayshore Medical Center in Holmdel, Mountainside Medical Center in Montclair, Ocean Medical Center in Brick, Palisades Medical Center in North Bergen, Pascack Valley Medical Center in Westwood, Raritan Bay Medical Center in Old Bridge, Raritan Bay Medical Center in Perth Amboy, Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank, and Southern Ocean Medical Center in Manahawkin; a behavioral health hospital – Carrier Clinic in Belle Mead; and two rehabilitation hospitals - JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute in Edison and Shore Rehabilitation Institute in Brick.

Additionally, the network has more than 500 patient care locations throughout the state which include ambulatory care centers, surgery centers, home health services, long-term care and assisted living communities, ambulance services, lifesaving air medical transportation, fitness and wellness centers, rehabilitation centers, urgent care centers and physician practice locations. Hackensack Meridian Health has more than 34,100 team members, and 6,500 physicians and is a distinguished leader in health care philanthropy, committed to the health and well-being of the communities it serves.

The network’s notable distinctions include having four hospitals among the top 10 in New Jersey by U.S. News and World Report. Other honors include consistently achieving Magnet® recognition for nursing excellence from the American Nurses Credentialing Center and being named to Becker’s Healthcare’s “150 Top Places to Work in Healthcare/2018” list.

The Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine at Seton Hall University, the first private medical school in New Jersey in more than 50 years, welcomed its first class of students in 2018 to its On3 campus in Nutley and Clifton. Additionally, the network partnered with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center to find more cures for cancer faster while ensuring that patients have access to the highest quality, most individualized cancer care when and where they need it.

Hackensack Meridian Health is a member of AllSpire Health Partners, an interstate consortium of leading health systems, to focus on the sharing of best practices in clinical care and achieving efficiencies.

For additional information, please visit www.HackensackMeridianHealth.org.