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The basics:

• Saad Ehtisham named president and CEO of Atlantic Health System
• Brings 20+ years’ experience in health care leadership
• Succeeds Brian Gragnolati
• Atlantic Health serves over 7.5 million people in New Jersey

Following his 10 years at the helm, Atlantic Health System named a successor for retiring President and CEO Brian Gragnolati.

Saad Ehtisham will step into the leadership role, effective July 30, the Morristown-based health care system announced June 5.

Atlantic Health noted Ehtisham’s patient-centric approach and his collaboration with clinical leaders. He currently serves as senior vice president and president of acute care operations for Novant Health.

Based in Winston-Salem, N.C., the integrated care delivery network comprises a $10 billion portfolio treating 7 million patients annually, according to AHS. Novant Health’s network includes 19 hospitals, 41,000 employees, and more than 8,600 independent and employed clinicians working across nearly 900 sites in North as well as South Carolina.

AHS described Ehtisham as a distinguished leader with more than 20 years’ experience guiding and transforming health organizations.

In particular, Atlantic Health highlighted his expertise in both for-profit and not-for-profit systems. Beyond acute care operations, he also brings a background of strategic planning and market growth, physician engagement, nursing, graduate medical education, financial performance and philanthropy to the role, AHS said.

“Patients and families across our region deserve the very best care – cutting edge treatments and therapies that are as accessible, affordable, and convenient as they are healing,” commented AHS Board Chair Laura Ann Kelly. “After a comprehensive national search, we are delighted to welcome Saad to our broad community and grateful that his thoughtful, seasoned leadership will now guide our talented team.”

A ‘north star’

Gragnolati led AHS for a decade. A mainstay on NJBIZ Power lists, his tenure includes navigating the COVID-19 pandemic and efforts to transition to value-based care, along with leading a clinical and strategic expansion at Atlantic Health. Overall, he’s spent 45 years working in health care, including serving as board chair for the American Hospital Association.

Kelly described Granolati’s service as a “north star” for AHS. After exiting the leadership post, he will transition to the role of board advisor for Atlantic Health.

With a team of 21,000 members and more than 6,800 affiliated physicians, Atlantic Health System says it serves more than half of the state – covering 14 counties and 7.5 million people. In addition to its eight hospitals, AHS also offers more than 550 care sites.

It also includes Atlantic Medical Group. One of the largest multispecialty practices in the state, the collective comprises more than 1,700 physicians and advance practice providers. Together with the Atlantic Accountable Care Organization and Optimus Healthcare Partners, they form part of Atlantic Alliance, a Clinically Integrated Network of more than 2,500 health care providers throughout northern and central New Jersey.

Looking forward

“I am honored and deeply grateful to be entrusted with the opportunity to lead a renowned health system that is setting standards for health care in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and the New York metropolitan area,” Ehtisham said. “I would also like to recognize and thank Brian Gragnolati for his leadership in advancing patient-centered care at Atlantic Health System and for his exemplary service to the health care industry.

“My wife, Tracy, and I are looking forward to joining our AHS colleagues.”

Outside of Novant Health, Ehtisham also held leadership roles at Health Management Associates Inc. in Tennessee, as CEO for its University Medical Center, as well as at Via Christi Wichita Hospitals & Clinics in Kansas. Atlantic Health said he is a board member of the North Carolina Hospital Association as well as a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives. He also sits on the regional policy board of the American Hospital Association.

I am honored and deeply grateful to be entrusted with the opportunity to lead a renowned health system that is setting standards for health care in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and the New York metropolitan area
— Saad Ehtisham, Atlantic Health System’s incoming president and CEO

A trustee of Queens University Charlotte and the Charlotte Sports Foundation, Ehtisham additionally serves as an adjunct professor in the Master of Healthcare Administration Program at the University of North Carolina Wilmington.

He earned a Doctor of Health Administration from Central Michigan University and graduated from Texas Woman’s University with a Master of Business Administration, a Master of Healthcare Administration, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Baylor University.