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Jim Andrews
Deborah Heart and Lung Center

Andrews serves as president and CEO of Deborah Heart and Lung Center, bringing more than two decades of health care leadership experience to the Browns Mills-based specialty hospital. He also leads the Deborah Hospital Foundation, overseeing both clinical operations and strategic growth initiatives.

Since taking the helm in 2024, Andrews has focused on advancing Deborah’s core mission — including its “No Price on Life” commitment — while strengthening a people-centered culture and driving high-quality patient outcomes. His leadership is centered on expanding access to specialized cardiovascular and pulmonary care while positioning Deborah as a national destination for treatment.

Before Deborah, Andrews held senior leadership roles at RWJBarnabas Health, where he led heart and vascular and neuroscience service lines. There, he was known for improving clinical outcomes, enhancing operational efficiency and integrating care across complex health systems.

Throughout his career, Andrews has built a reputation for aligning innovation with patient-centered care. At Deborah, he continues to guide the organization through its next phase of growth, with a focus on elevating its legacy as a leader in heart and lung care.

Dr. Kaitlan Baston
Vinyl Health

Baston is the incoming chief executive officer of Vinyl Health and a nationally recognized physician leader known for her work in integrated, patient-centered care. She brings a unique blend of clinical expertise and public-sector leadership to the role, with a focus on improving how patients navigate and experience the health care system.

Baston most recently served as interim president and CEO of University Hospital in Newark, where she led one of the state’s largest safety-net hospitals and its only public academic medical center and Level I trauma center. Previously, she served as commissioner of health for the State of New Jersey, helping guide statewide public health strategy and policy.

At Vinyl Health, Baston is expected to drive the company’s mission of creating a more connected and accessible healthcare experience. Her background in primary care, addiction medicine, and system-level leadership positions her to focus on care coordination and patient engagement.

She has emphasized a vision of health care that is more human, empowering and easy to navigate, with a goal of helping patients, caregivers and providers stay better connected and informed.

Sam Bayoumy
Kessler Institute of Rehabilitation

Bayoumy has been president of the Kessler Institute of Rehabilitation since January 2024. Kessler ranks as one one of the most prominent and highly regarded rehabilitation facilities in the world. In this role he oversees four hospital campuses and ensures the quality and safety of patients and works to improve care, regulatory compliance, financial management and strategic growth, according to the organization.

He has also served as chief operating officer and vice president of operations at Kessler. Previously he was the CEO of Cleveland Clinic Rehabilitation Hospital in Ohio. Bayoumi has been a licensed physical therapist for more than 25 years of and has worked extensively with survivors of stroke, traumatic brain injury, limb loss and other orthopedic and neurological conditions in a variety of settings.

In a statement on Kessler website, Bayoumi noted the organization’s long history of excellence, beginning with its founding by Henry Kessler in 1948. “Building on Dr. Kessler’s legacy, Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation has become a worldwide leader in the field of medical rehabilitation,” he wrote. “We are proud to be named the Best Physical Rehabilitation Center in the Northeast Region by Newsweek and ranked No. 4 in the nation for rehabilitation hospitals by U.S. News & World Report.”

Cathleen Bennett
New Jersey Hospital Association

Bennett has led the New Jersey Hospital Association as president and CEO since 2017, guiding one of the state’s most influential health care organizations through periods of transformation, crisis and recovery. The nonprofit represents hospitals and health systems statewide, with a focus on patient safety, quality, education and advocacy in both Trenton and Washington.

A former New Jersey health commissioner, Bennett brings decades of public- and private-sector experience to the role, overseeing NJHA and its affiliated organizations focused on research, education and health care business solutions. Her leadership has been especially visible in recent years, from navigating the COVID-19 pandemic to advancing population health initiatives and systemwide collaboration.

According to NJHA’s latest economic impact report, hospitals support nearly 162,000 jobs and generate $34.6 billion in direct economic activity across the state.

“New Jersey hospitals are recognized for delivering world-class care, and their impact goes far beyond the bedside,” Bennett said. “With 162,000 jobs and nearly $35 billion in economic activity, hospitals are economic playmakers for our state. To put it in perspective, the boost our hospitals provide in a single year is like hosting 10 World Cups right here in New Jersey.”

Dr. Robert Brenner
Valley Health System

Brenner has led Valley Health System as president and CEO since 2024, stepping into the role at a transformative moment for one of New Jersey’s largest health networks. He oversees the system’s strategic direction, operations and continued expansion across The Valley Hospital, Valley Home Care and Valley Medical Group.

A physician-executive with a focus on innovation and integration, Brenner has been instrumental in advancing Valley’s population health strategy, which now coordinates care for more than 90,000 patients. He also led the launch of ColigoCare, the system’s clinically integrated network and accountable care organization, and helped establish Valley’s first graduate medical education programs in partnership with the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.

Brenner played a key role in the planning and opening of Valley’s $868 million, state-of-the-art hospital in Paramus, anchoring a broader shift toward modern, patient-centered care delivery. Under his leadership, the system continues to expand outpatient services; invest in advanced technologies such as robotic surgery; and strengthen its reputation for clinical excellence, including national recognition among America’s top hospitals.

Chrissy Buteas
HealthCare Institute of New Jersey

Buteas has led the HealthCare Institute of New Jersey since 2024, bringing more than two decades of experience in public policy, advocacy and health care leadership to one of the state’s most influential life sciences organizations. The association represents biopharmaceutical, medical technology and diagnostic companies that play a central role in New Jersey’s innovation economy.

Buteas previously served as chief government affairs officer at the New Jersey Business & Industry Association and as president and CEO of the Home Care & Hospice Association of New Jersey. Her background spans both the public and private sectors, including leadership roles in government affairs and regulatory policy.

At HINJ, Buteas has focused on strengthening the state’s position as a global hub for medical innovation while navigating an evolving policy landscape. Speaking at the HINJ Pulse forum in March, she said, “HINJ serves as the voice for our state’s life sciences – the biopharmaceutical, medtech, and diagnostic companies that for well over a century have been saving lives around the world by finding new treatments and cures right here in the State of New Jersey. And that’s why our state is known as the ‘Medicine Chest of the World.’”

Dr. Diane Calello
New Jersey Poison Information and Education System

Calello serves as medical director of the New Jersey Poison Information and Education System and is a nationally recognized expert in medical toxicology, with a focus on public health, pediatric exposures and the evolving challenges of substance use. An associate professor at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, she is board certified in pediatrics, pediatric emergency medicine, medical toxicology and addiction medicine.

Her work spans clinical care, research and policy, with leadership roles in organizations such as the American College of Medical Toxicology and the Toxicology Investigators Consortium. She has been particularly active in addressing issues such as pediatric poisoning, environmental lead exposure and the health impacts of the opioid epidemic.

At the state’s poison control center, Calello oversees a system that handles more than 54,000 cases annually, providing real-time guidance to families, caregivers and medical professionals. “Every day, lives are protected because expert help is only a call away,” she said. “For New Jerseyans, our poison control center is more than a hotline – it’s a lifeline.”

Joel Cantor
Rutgers Center for State Health Policy

Cantor is the founding director of the Rutgers Center for State Health Policy and a longtime leader in health policy research, having guided the center since its creation in 1999. A distinguished professor at the Rutgers Bloustein School, his work has focused on health services financing and delivery, particularly for Medicaid populations and individuals facing barriers to care.

Over more than two decades, Cantor has built the center into a nationally recognized hub for data-driven policy analysis, leading major initiatives on population health, health equity and outcomes for vulnerable populations. His work has been supported by leading institutions including the National Institutes of Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and he has earned recognition such as Rutgers’ President’s Award for Research in Service to New Jersey.

Cantor is set to step down from the director role this summer, with Lindsay Shea named as his successor following a national search. Shea, a nationally recognized Medicaid policy expert, will take the helm in July, marking a new chapter for the center as it continues its mission of shaping health policy in New Jersey and beyond.

Michael Charlton
AtlantiCare

Charlton is president and CEO of AtlantiCare, leading strategic growth, operations, and development for one of South Jersey’s largest health systems, serving over 1 million residents across five counties. He oversees a workforce of more than 6,500 employees and has positioned the organization as a national model for innovation and community-focused care.

Since assuming the role of CEO, Charlton launched Vision 2030, a six-year strategy advancing community health, workforce development, transformation and long-term sustainability. He has forged partnerships with the Cleveland Clinic Cancer Institute and Global Neurosciences Institute and helped establish AtlantiCare as an early innovation partner with Oracle Health, advancing next-generation digital health and clinical AI.

Charlton has also driven high-profile projects, including a $75 million expansion of AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center’s Mainland Campus and the region’s first inpatient rehabilitation hospital in partnership with Select Medical, opening in 2026. Workforce programs like AtlantiCare YOUniversity and a USDOL-funded apprenticeship initiative have strengthened clinical recruitment and career development. Recognized as a thought leader, Charlton contributes to publications such as Entrepreneur and Forbes, and speaks widely on health care transformation, leadership and innovation.

Matt Cifelli
Attain Physical Therapy

Cifelli is the founder and CEO of Attain Physical Therapy, a Shrewsbury-headquartered rehabilitation provider delivering physical, occupational, and speech therapy services across outpatient clinics and senior living communities. Under his leadership, Attain has built a reputation for blending clinical excellence with technology-driven care, leveraging proprietary SaaS solutions to enhance patient engagement, operational efficiency and outcomes.

Since founding the company, Cifelli has expanded Attain across multiple states, establishing a growing network of clinics and forging partnerships with senior living communities. He continues to treat patients regularly, maintaining a direct connection to clinical care while fostering collaboration with the organization’s team of therapists.

In 2025, Attain made the Inc. 5000 list, ranking No. 755 among America’s fastest-growing private companies. Cifelli described the recognition as “a profound honor,” crediting the achievement to the dedication of Attain’s therapists, patients and community partners. He emphasizes a model of growth that uplifts lives while transforming rehabilitation delivery, positioning Attain as a rising leader in patient-centered care.

Chris Cozic
Genmab

Cozic serves as executive vice president and chief people officer at Genmab and was elected board chair of BioNJ in 2026, stepping into a key leadership role within New Jersey’s life sciences community. Since joining Genmab in 2017, he has helped drive the company’s workforce strategy and organizational growth.

Based at Genmab’s U.S. headquarters in Plainsboro, Cozic has supported the company’s rapid expansion in New Jersey, including the development of its innovation hub at the Princeton Forrestal Innovation Center. His leadership has emphasized building mission-driven teams aligned with advancing antibody-based medicines.

With experience spanning biopharma and telecommunications, Cozic brings deep expertise in talent development and corporate growth. In his role with BioNJ, he is focused on strengthening collaboration across industry, government and academia. “I look forward to championing BioNJ’s strategic priorities, advancing the life sciences innovation ecosystem, supporting the creation and retention of high-quality jobs and strengthening collaboration across industry, government and academia. By bringing people together around shared goals, we can ensure New Jersey remains a global leader in life sciences innovation ― bringing new, life-saving medicines to patients around the world.”

Jennifer D’Angelo
New Jersey Innovation Institute

D’Angelo serves as chief operating officer of the New Jersey Innovation Institute and executive vice president of its Healthcare Division, where she plays a central role in shaping the organization’s growth strategy and statewide impact.

With more than two decades of experience in health care and technology leadership, D’Angelo oversees initiatives that are modernizing care delivery and strengthening digital health infrastructure across New Jersey. Her division leads the New Jersey Health Information Network on behalf of the state Department of Health, supporting data-driven coordination among thousands of providers nationwide.

D’Angelo has been instrumental in advancing NJII’s position as a leader in applied innovation, helping secure more than $100 million in funding to support programs in artificial intelligence, IoT, predictive analytics and patient experience. Her work has focused in part on building provider-led platforms that help health care organizations adapt and modernize in an increasingly technology-driven environment.

Her leadership approach emphasizes collaboration, accountability and operational excellence, with a focus on building high-performing teams and delivering sustainable, system-wide impact.

James Davis
Quest Diagnostics

Davis is chairman, CEO and president of Quest Diagnostics, the Secaucus-based diagnostics giant serving providers and patients nationwide. He assumed the CEO and president roles in November 2022 and became chairman in April 2023, capping a steady rise through the company’s leadership ranks since joining in 2013.

Under his leadership, Quest has continued to expand its role in both clinical innovation and consumer-facing health tools, including the launch of new AI-driven capabilities that help patients better understand their lab results. The company has also grown through acquisitions, strategic collaborations and investments in advanced diagnostics.

Davis cited that momentum in Quest’s latest earnings report. “We closed 2025 with a strong fourth quarter and delivered double-digit growth in revenues and earnings per share for the full year,” said Davis. “Our robust performance demonstrates continued execution of our strategy to deliver category-defining clinical innovations that fulfill customers’ needs and to form strategic collaborations supporting growth. Our 2026 guidance reflects our continued confidence in our business strengths and market fundamentals.”

Robert Davis
Merck & Co. Inc.

Davis is chairman and chief executive officer of Merck & Co. Inc., the Rahway-headquartered global biopharmaceutical leader. With the company since 2014, he has served as CEO since 2021 and chairman since 2022, guiding a period of strong growth driven by its oncology portfolio, vaccines and expanding pipeline of new therapies.

Under his leadership, Merck has strengthened its position as a research-driven innovator, advancing key products while investing in next-generation treatments across cardiometabolic, respiratory and infectious diseases. The company has also pursued targeted acquisitions and strategic collaborations to deepen its scientific capabilities and extend its global reach.

Davis has emphasized the role of data, artificial intelligence and advanced analytics in accelerating drug discovery and improving development outcomes, including partnerships that integrate clinical and genomic data into research efforts. At the same time, Merck continues to deliver strong financial performance, reflecting sustained demand for its innovative portfolio and continued execution of its long-term strategy.

“In 2025, we continued to advance leading-edge science to deliver transformative medicines and vaccines that are improving health outcomes for patients around the world,” said Davis.

Nandkumar Deorkar
Avantor

Deorkar serves as senior vice president of research and development at Avantor, where he leads global efforts to align scientific innovation with product development and commercialization strategy.

With more than two decades of experience, Deorkar oversees R&D programs spanning mRNA, viral vectors and bispecific antibody manufacturing technologies. His expertise covers the full biopharma lifecycle, including bioprocess development, formulation, drug delivery, scale-up and global technology transfer.

He plays a key role in advancing Avantor’s collaboration with biopharmaceutical companies, helping accelerate the development and production of complex therapies. That work is supported by the company’s flagship Bridgewater Innovation Center in New Jersey, a technology-driven hub designed to expand lab capacity, enhance pilot-scale capabilities, and enable co-development with customers across modalities such as cell and gene therapy and monoclonal antibodies.

A frequent contributor to the scientific community, Deorkar has authored more than 30 publications and holds more than 20 patents, underscoring his role in driving innovation across the life sciences sector.

Joaquin Duato
Johnson & Johnson

Duato is chairman and chief executive officer of Johnson & Johnson, the world’s largest, most diversified health care company, delivering innovative medicines and medical devices. He became CEO in January 2022 and chairman in January 2023, following his role as vice chairman of the Executive Committee, where he oversaw the company’s pharmaceutical and consumer health businesses, technology and global supply chain operations.

Under Duato’s leadership, Johnson & Johnson is advancing medical innovation across oncology, immunology, neuroscience, cardiovascular, surgery and vision. Reflecting on the year just past, he said, “2025 was a catapult year for Johnson & Johnson, fueled by the strongest portfolio and pipeline in our history. Last year kicked off a new era of accelerated growth, driven by medical innovation that is transforming lives in our six key businesses … In each of these important areas, our leadership is expanding driven by game-changing science and technology.” In February, Duato announced a more than $1 billion investment in a next-generation cell therapy manufacturing facility in Pennsylvania. The project is expected to create more than 500 biomanufacturing jobs and 4,000 construction positions, as part of Johnson & Johnson’s $55 billion U.S. investment through 2029.

Matthew Edson
Shreiber School of Veterinary Medicine, Rowan University

Edson serves as the founding dean of the Shreiber School of Veterinary Medicine at Rowan University, leading New Jersey’s first veterinary school as it builds a pipeline of in-state talent and expands access to veterinary education.

He brings more than two decades of experience as a mixed animal practitioner and is the founder of Rancocas Veterinary Associates, a multi-doctor practice based in South Jersey. His clinical interests include miniature pig and small ruminant medicine and surgery, alongside a broader focus on advancing affordable, clinically relevant veterinary training.

Edson has been with the Shreiber School since the its inception at Rowan, and has played a central role in shaping its curriculum, partnerships and community mission. At the school’s October 2025 ribbon-cutting ceremony, Edson called the moment a milestone for the profession in the state.

“I think I speak for all the veterinarians in our profession when I say it’s always been a dream of ours to go to school in our home states,” Edson said. “We’re really happy to be here to provide that for future generations.”

Saad Ehtisham
Atlantic Health

Ehtisham has served as president and chief executive officer of Atlantic Health since July 2025, leading one of the region’s largest health systems with more than 550 sites of care and a broad network serving millions of patients across New Jersey and the surrounding area.

Known for his patient-centered and collaborative leadership style, Ehtisham focuses on advancing clinical quality, expanding access to care and strengthening workforce engagement across the organization. His approach emphasizes the connection between employee experience and patient outcomes, positioning culture as a key driver of performance.

Under his leadership, Atlantic Health has continued to earn national recognition as a top workplace. Following the system’s placement on Fortune and Great Place to Work’s “100 Best Companies to Work For” list, Ehtisham highlighted the role of his staff in delivering high-quality care and driving innovation.

“We are thrilled to celebrate our amazing team, the driving force behind every life we touch, every achievement, every breakthrough,” said Ehtisham. “As a national leader in health care, we understand that our highly engaged workforce is the foundation for fulfilling our promise to patients and their families.”

Editor’s note: Joaquin Duato’s entry was updated at 9:36 a.m. April 13, 2026, to remove reference to Johnson & Johnson’s former consumer health product division.

2026 NJBIZ Health Care Power List Index:

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