Hackensack Meridian Health CEO Robert C. Garrett included in The CEO Forum’s 10 CEOs Transforming Healthcare in America

Prestigious list includes CEOs of Cleveland Clinic, Stamford Health and other major networks

Hackensack Meridian Health, New Jersey’s largest and most comprehensive health network, is pleased to announce that CEO Robert C. Garrett is among the visionary leaders recognized in The CEO Forum’s 10 CEOs Transforming Healthcare in America.

The CEO Forum recognized Mr. Garrett’s exceptional leadership in the successful merger of two health networks, the partnership with Carrier Clinic to transform behavioral health care and “pioneering the redesign of medical education by creating a world-class medical school.’’

“I am honored to receive this recognition which would not be possible without exceptional teams who join me in living our mission to transform health care,’’ said Robert C. Garrett, CEO of Hackensack Meridian Health.

Other CEOs in the article include: Dr. Tom Mihaljevic of Carrier Clinic, Kathleen Silard of Stamford Health and Michael J. Dowling of Northwell Health.

The network’s merger with Carrier Clinic will result in the opening of new drug treatment centers – including the first in Bergen County later this year – and the state’s first behavioral health urgent care centers, the magazine noted.

Additionally, the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine at Seton Hall University is transforming medical education in three major ways: offering a 3-yr path to residency; providing inter-disciplinary learning and a community immersion program which pairs students with patients in underserved communities so they have a greater understanding of the social determinants of health. The school, located in Clifton and Nutley, will soon welcome its second class. Nearly 5,000 applicants have applied for 90 slots.

“Our new concept of a medical school will build a unified culture with shared academic skills and will emphasize the humanistic side of clinical care,’’ Mr. Garrett said in an interview with The CEO Forum.

Hackensack University Health Network merged with Meridian Health in 2016, creating what is now a 17-hospital network from Bergen to Ocean counties, with 4,500 beds, 6,500 credentialed physicians, 500 patient care locations and 34,000 team members.

Mr. Garrett said: “The core to leadership is being mission driven, number one. You need to believe in it deeply. And you need to attract the best people around you who I would call our missionaries.’’

CEO FORUM ARTICLE