Hackensack Meridian Health CEO Robert Garrett Ranked #2 on NJBIZ’s 2021 Health Care Power 50

Dr. Andre Goy and Don Parker were also named to NJBIZ’s Health Care Power 50 List

 Hackensack Meridian Health, New Jersey’s largest and most comprehensive health care network, is pleased to announce that CEO Robert C. Garrett was recognized by NJBIZ for his outstanding leadership throughout the COVID-19 crisis, investment in behavioral health, as well as advances in cancer care, research and innovation. The New Jersey business publication ranked Garrett #2 on their 2021 Health Care Power 50.

“Over the last year, Bob Garrett has led Hackensack Meridian Health through an unprecedented health crisis with incredible focus and determination,” said Frank L. Fekete, CPA, Chairman, Hackensack Meridian Health Board of Trustees. “Our frontline team members cared for more COVID-19 patients than any other network in New Jersey, and we are truly grateful for their unwavering commitment and compassion to the patients and communities we serve. We want to congratulate Bob on this well-deserved recognition from NJBIZ, and for all that he has done to help us combat the COVID-19 pandemic and enhance the delivery of care in our state.”

Garrett is joined on the Health Care Power 50 list by the following Hackensack Meridian Health leaders:

Andre Goy, M.D., M.S., as physician-in-chief of the Hackensack Meridian HealthOncology Care Transformation Service

Donald J. Parker, president of Hackensack Meridian Carrier Clinic and behavioral health services for the network

Hackensack Meridian Health hospitals treated more than 23,000 patients, more than any other network in the state, and 80 percent recovered. More than 133,000 people were tested for the virus in network hospitals. Hackensack Meridian Health is proud to have contributed breakthroughs to help the nation work to defeat this deadly pandemic. Network accomplishments include:

Developed the first rapid commercial COVID-19 test, reducing the wait time for results from days to hours.

Developed a convalescent plasma treatment utilizing antibodies from people with high concentrations of antibodies – “superdonors’’ – to treat hospitalized patients.

Participated in national clinical trials to develop COVID-19 vaccines, including the Moderna and J&J trials.

Opened a COVID-19 Recovery Center, dedicated to assisting COVID-19 patients after recovering from the infection.

Launched a Mega Site at the former Meadowlands Racetrack in partnership with the New Jersey Department of Health, State Police and National Guard, which is vaccinating as many as 4,000 patients daily.

To date, the entire network has vaccinated more than 324,000 people.

Developed Keeping America Safe: Hackensack Meridian Health’s Assist Program which helps business owners and schools create a safe environment.

NJBIZ editors shared why they listed Garrett #2 in their rankings: “The network has played a major role in the COVID-19 pandemic, including treating more patients than any network in New Jersey and developing major breakthroughs – the state’s first rapid COVID-19 test, reducing wait time from days to a just a few hours and developing nearly a dozen clinical trials for COVID therapies, including convalescent plasma therapy. The network continues to participate in clinical trials to deliver safe and effective vaccines. Under Garrett’s leadership, HMH has made strides in medical education, behavioral health care, cancer care and innovation and research. It opened the first private medical school in New Jersey in decades… In 2019, the network merged with Carrier Clinic, New Jersey’s largest behavioral health provider, to expand access to treatment, better coordinate care and develop therapies. The merger resulted in the opening of the first urgent care behavioral health center in New Jersey as well as a new state-of-the art destination addiction treatment center that opened in February 2021."