The New Jersey-based academic health system named a new CFO, SVP of community health, and several other role transitions as part of the announcement.
In a move to reflect the academic health system's ongoing growth strategies and commitment to the community, RWJBarnabas Health announced several executive and senior leadership hires and transitions on Tuesday.
The system named a new CFO and SVP of community health, and other leaders transitioned to the roles of CIO, chief pharmacy officer, and chief of staff to Mark Manigan, the system's president.
The system named Mark Manigan, who previously led as chief strategy and business development officer, as system president in March. At the end of the year, he will succeed the current retiring CEO, Barry Ostrowsky.
"This is an exciting and pivotal time for RWJBarnabas Health, as each executive brings significant experience and fresh perspectives to their roles," Manigan said in a statement. "At a time when we are making substantial investments in new programs and facilities, as well as deepening our relationships in the communities we serve, it is critical to convene a team that possesses the expertise and passion necessary to achieve our ambitious goals."
The following leadership appointments were announced on Tuesday.
Frank Pipas was named the system's new EVP, chief financial officer, where he will lead key financial and operational functions. He joins from Hackensack Meridian Health, where he most recently served as EVP of finance, a role he's had since 2018.
Balpreet Grewal-Virk, PhD, was named the system's new SVP, community health, a new role for the system. In her role, she will design and execute the system's pilot program grant in Newark, where she will lead the strategy behind the development of an academic health system and Federally Qualified Health Center partnership. Grewal-Virk also joins from Hackensack Meridian Health, where she most recently served as vice president, community outreach and engagement for the system's northern region.
Indu Lew, PharmD, transitioned to her new role of chief of staff to Manigan, the system's president and future CEO. She will partner with Manigan to drive strategic priorities, steamline organization initiatives and functionality, and will be actively involved in the implementation of the system's new operating model and "One System, One Family," philosophy. Lew has held multiple leadership positions over the past 20 years with the system, including chief pharmacy officer, VP of corporate pharmacy, director of education and research, and Vice President of IDEAS, a Barnabas Health Medical Communications Company.
Robert T. Adamson, PharmD, FASHP, transitioned to his new role of EVP and CIO, where he will lead strategic planning, technology leadership, and vision for the health system. He also serves as the operational leader for the Epic electronic health record implementation. He most recently served as SVP and chief pharmacy officer for the system.
Robert Pellechio, RPh, MBA, transitioned to his new role as SVP and chief pharmacy officer, where he will provide strategic leadership for 25 divisions of the system's pharmacy enterprise. He joined RWJBarnabas Health in 2005 as corporate director of pharmacy and most recently served as corporate vice president of pharmacy integrated services since 2015. Additionally, he serves on the national committee for Health Trust Pharmacy Advisory Board.
"We are incredibly proud of the caliber of talent our system continues to recruit and retain," John Doll, COO of the system. "For RWJBarnabas Health to remain a regional leader in care delivery, it is critical that we both create opportunities for advancement for talented leaders throughout the system and externally recruit. I am thrilled that we continue to do both for these important roles."
RWJBarnabas had its last senior executive strategic realignment in 2021, where numerous senior members were promoted to EVP roles, including Indu Lew, PharmD, who assumed the role of EVP, chief pharmacy officer at that time.
Related: Manigan Appointed as President of RWJBarnabas Health, Effective Immediately
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Melanie Blackman is a contributing editor for strategy, marketing, and human resources at HealthLeaders, an HCPro brand.