RWJBarnabas Health is restructuring as the academic health system aims to streamline its disaster response and boost its population health management.
West Orange, N.J.-based RWJBarnabas formed a strategic council to guide C-suite executives through sharing best practices, setting priorities and allocating resources. Some of those priorities will include optimizing its disaster response for potential future pandemics, ending systemic racism and focusing on population health, RWJBarnabas Health CEO Barry Ostrowsky said.
"We have learned a great deal through this crisis, and as we look to instill new best practices, our priority remains the health and well-being of our patients and staff," he said in prepared remarks. "This realignment will allow us to better serve New Jersey through a more concerted approach to population health management and a nimble platform that can quickly adapt to the pandemics and emergencies of the future."
The 13-hospital health system did not offer additional information prior to deadline on how the realignment will achieve those goals, how reporting structures will change and if positions will be eliminated.
John Doll will lead the strategic council in his new role as chief financial and administrative officer. In his expanded role, Doll—who was chief financial officer—will also manage the system's medical group and integration of the system's and Rutgers' behavioral health service lines.
The council will include Mark Manigan, chief strategy and business development officer; Michael Knecht, chief marketing and communications officer; Patrick Knaus, executive vice president of system strategy; and Deb Lienhardt, executive vice president of business development and innovation.
RWJBarnabas also launched a new campaign, "Ending Racism, Together," which will be led by DeAnna Minus-Vincent, now chief social integration and health equity strategist. She will be responsible for developing an anti-racist strategy for the system, as well as coordinating efforts with community organizations to implement policies that promote equitable health, social and economic outcomes.
RWJBarnabas is one of 39 large health systems that recently committed to addressing racism as a public health crisis.
