NJHA Confirms Les Hirsch as Chairman at 97th Annual Meeting

PRINCETON, N.J., Jan. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Leslie D. Hirsch, FACHE, of Denville, president of Saint Peter's Healthcare System, today was reinstalled as chairman of the Board of the New Jersey Hospital Association, the state's oldest and largest hospital and healthcare advocacy organization. The chairman's official installation, as well as the appointment of new Board officers and members, was held during NJHA's 97^th Annual Meeting at the Hyatt Regency Princeton.

Hirsch retained the chair for another year due to the vacancy created when John A. Brennan, MD, president and CEO of Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and Children's Hospital of New Jersey and executive vice president of Barnabas Health, announced he will be leaving New Jersey for a new position at WellStar Health System in Georgia. Hirsch acknowledged that WellStar's recruiting gain is New Jersey's loss, but extended well wishes to Brennan before his departure.

In his remarks, Hirsch also acknowledged the potential divisive nature of such a competitive industry – as well as the successes achieved in the previous year by working together as part of one association.

"There is no other place where we can gather as a true community for healthcare and collaborate on the important issues before us – a diverse membership – all focused on the issues that matter greatly in the changing world of healthcare, especially how we care for our patients and serve our respective communities," explained Hirsch.

He spoke of how healthcare directed at Baby Boomers will look very different from care for Millennials, and how personal technology like exercise monitoring and smartphones are creating a completely different way of interacting with patients.

"Change can be disruptive and unsettling. But when you embrace it – when you commit to being part of it instead of having it thrust upon you – change can also be empowering."

Prior to being named Saint Peter's president, Hirsch served as the president and CEO of Saint Clare's Health System, as well as Touro Infirmary, a large hospital in the heart of New Orleans. He assumed the post just one week before Hurricane Katrina devastated the city.

Under Hirsch as board chair, the following officers also were appointed to the NJHA Board:

• Chair-elect Steven G. Littleson, FACHE, of Fair Haven, executive vice president of Meridian Health and president of Meridian Hospitals Corporation
• Vice Chairman Amy B. Mansue, of Hightstown, president and CEO of Children's Specialized Hospital
• Treasurer Joseph W. Devine, FACHE, of Sewell, president and CEO of Kennedy Health
• Secretary Kevin J. Slavin, of Hackettstown, president and CEO of St. Joseph's Healthcare System
• Immediate Past Chair Stephen K. Jones, FACHE, of Kendall Park, president and CEO of Robert Wood Johnson Health System.

The following healthcare leaders also were appointed as new board members:

John A. DiAngelo of Mullica Hill, president and CEO of Inspira Health Network; Ronald Johnson, FACHE, of Mays Landing, president and CEO of Shore Medical Center; Maria Brennan, DNP, RN, of Clarksburg, president of the Organization of Nurse Leaders NJ; Edward J. Condit of Denville, president and CEO of St. Mary's General Hospital; Warren Geller of Demarest, president and CEO of Englewood Hospital and Medical Center; Brian A. Gragnolati, FACHE, of Mendham Township, president and CEO of Atlantic Health System; Darlene S. Hanley RN, FACHE of Pompton Lakes, president and CEO of St. Lawrence Rehabilitation Center; Donald J. Parker, of Hammonton, president and CEO of Carrier Clinic; Praful Raja of Edison, chairman of the board of directors of JFK Medical Center and board member of JFK Health and JFK Medical Center Foundation; and Steven Berkowitz, MD, of Ocean, president of the Medical Society of New Jersey.

NJHA, based in Princeton, is a not-for-profit trade association that helps hospitals and other healthcare providers deliver quality, accessible and affordable healthcare. Its affiliates the Health Research and Educational Trust of New Jersey and the NJHA Institute for Quality and Patient Safety, also nonprofit, engage in programming and partnerships to improve healthcare quality and access.

SOURCE New Jersey Hospital Association (NJHA)

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http://www.njha.com