Hackensack Meridian Health Appoints Daniel W. Varga, M.D. as Chief Physician Executive

Hackensack Meridian Health is pleased to announce the appointment of Daniel W. Varga, M.D., as chief physician executive. In this position, Dr. Varga will lead and oversee the health network’s physician enterprise and be responsible for achieving the best possible quality outcomes, co-lead Care Transformation Services, and be responsible for medical management of the clinically integrated network.

“I’m delighted to welcome Daniel Varga as our senior medical leader,” said Robert C. Garrett, FACHE, chief executive officer of Hackensack Meridian Health. “Highly skilled and deeply dedicated, Dr. Varga joins us with a depth and breadth of experience that will elevate our mission to provide exceptional medical services and life-enhancing care.”

Dr. Varga joins Hackensack Meridian Health from Texas Health Resources (THR) where he served as a senior executive vice president and chief clinical officer, with joint accountability in all clinical operations, clinical informatics, and quality performance improvement. He also led development of a high-reliability health care model at THR. Prior to THR, he served as chief clinical officer of KentuckyOne Health, and as chief medical officer at St. Joseph’s Health System, SSM Health Care and Norton Healthcare.

In addition, Dr. Varga co-chairs the Physician Alignment Forum of the Leadership Institute. He previously served as president of the Kentucky Medical Association and as chair of the Healthcare Associated Infections Project of the National Quality Forum.

Dr. Varga holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Kentucky and a Medical Degree from the University of Louisville. Widely published in his field, his honors include the Every Moment Matters Award from the Presbyterian Health Services Foundation.