New CEO Of University Hospital Has Worked With Obama, Biden Administrations

NEWARK, NJ — University Hospital in Newark will soon have a new president – and she is a familiar face in the White House.

On Wednesday, officials announced that Carole Johnson has been named the new CEO and president of the busy hospital, which is New Jersey’s only public academic medical center and the only state-designated Level I Trauma Center for Northern New Jersey.

The appointment, which takes effect later this year, follows an “extensive nationwide search,” officials said.

Johnson has previously worked on health care issues with the presidential administrations of Barack Obama and Joe Biden. She has helped to develop initiatives such as the Affordable Care Act (also known as “Obamacare”), which is one of the main issues driving the current federal government shutdown.

“This is a critical time in history for health care, and as we tackle complex challenges like ongoing federal Medicaid reductions, University Hospital needs a leader with a proven track record of success,” Gov. Phil Murphy said.

“I am confident she will bring her wealth of experience in state and federal settings to University Hospital,” Murphy said.

According to a statement from the governor’s office, Johnson previously directed the state’s largest cabinet-level agency as commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Human Services.

“[Johnson’s] understanding of the day-to-day challenges many New Jerseyans – including many University Hospital patients – encounter in accessing care helped drive her work to improve and expand the state’s lifesaving and life-sustaining Medicaid program that provides health care to nearly two million New Jerseyans and to increasing access to vital social service programs,” the governor’s office said.

Most recently, Johnson served as the federal administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration, where she racked up an impressive resume, the governor’s office said:

“At the federal level, Carole led the significant federal investment in growing community health centers (also known as FQHCs) to provide more access to primary care, mental health and substance use disorder services, and prenatal care in high-need communities. She also changed federal policy to make it easier for health centers to care for people as they plan to return home to the community from jails and prisons. Carole used her role to help improve working environments and professional development opportunities for health care providers, including her work to develop modernized nurse training programs, expand loan repayment to encourage health professionals to practice in underserved areas, and create new physician residency programs in high need communities.”

Her work also led to the first major restructuring of the national organ transplant network in 40 years – an important and significant process for hundreds of hospitals, including University Hospital, which is a national leader in long-term liver transplant survival, the governor’s office said.

• See Related: University Hospital Performs 1500th Liver Transplant
• See Related: 2 Surgeons At Newark Hospital Are Saving Lives With Transplants

“Having spent my career focused on strengthening and supporting the health care safety net, I understand and value University Hospital’s critical role in delivering care to the diverse communities of our state’s most populous city,” Johnson said.

“The work of University Hospital is a historic commitment and a sacred trust, and I hope to bring my experience to continue to advance UH’s community-driven approach to health care and to work with the community to make a meaningful impact on the health and well-being of the people of Newark,” Johnson added.

Tanya Freeman, chair of the University Hospital Board of Directors, thanked Kaitlan Baston for serving as interim president and CEO during the search.

“Dr. Baston’s leadership during this transition has been invaluable,” Freeman said. “Her unwavering dedication to patient care and her support for our staff have strengthened the hospital at a pivotal time. We are truly grateful for her contributions and wish her continued success in all that lies ahead.”

Several lawmakers from the area offered congratulations for Johnson, including U.S. Rep. LaMonica McIver, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, New Jersey Sen. Teresa Ruiz, New Jersey Assemblywoman Eliana Pintor Marin, and Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr.

The state’s largest registered nurses’ union, Health Professionals and Allied Employees, also said the move is encouraging.

“We are optimistic that with her extensive experience and leadership in public service she will continue to move forward University Hospital’s much-overdue $1.8 billion, multi-year expansion and modernization plan,” HPAE President Debbie White said.

• See Related: University Hospital Kicks Off Major Expansion Project
• See Related: Newark Hospital Expands Its Emergency Department (Take A Peek Inside)

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