State Health Commissioner Shereef Elnahal has been appointed president and chief executive officer of University Hospital in Newark.

The board of directors, at a special meeting held on Wednesday, named Elnahal to serve in the post effective July 15, 2019.  Elnahal will succeed Judy Persichilli, who has served in this role on an interim basis since December 2018.

Elnahal is currently the commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Health, where he leads over 4,000 employees and is responsible for all public health matters impacting the state’s nearly 9 million residents.

“The board is delighted to welcome Dr. Elnahal to University Hospital. We are confident that his strong leadership and creativity will be the driving force necessary to continue the momentum we have begun to develop over the last several months as we craft a Strategic Plan for the future,” said Tanya Freeman, University Hospital board chair in a statement. “The board is also deeply grateful to the selfless work of Judy Persichilli during this transition period. She has brought a culture of transparency and gratitude to the leadership team that is felt by our patients, employees, and community,” said Freeman.

“It’s been my greatest honor to serve in the Murphy administration. During my tenure, we accomplished much to advance the governor’s agenda for social justice in health: restoring funding for women’s health care to reach over 10,000 additional women, serving thousands of women of color to target black infant and maternal mortality, setting the foundation for the state’s public health approach to the opioid epidemic, improving the state’s psychiatric hospitals, helping to preserve the gains New Jersey has made with the Affordable Care Act, and overseeing the largest expansion of the state’s medical marijuana program in its history,” said Elnahal in a statement.

“It is now my privilege to transition into serving the state’s only public hospital and its community. At University Hospital, I pledge to continue my service to New Jersey by executing on a vision that makes it an institution of trust again for its community. University Hospital can be the pride of Newark. Its health care, community, and academic missions can carry it forward into excellence. That is my promise to patients, employees, and the surrounding community,” Elnahal said.

“It has been a privilege to work with the board as we reimagine the future of University Hospital,” said Judy Persichilli, acting president and chief executive officer. “I am excited to pass this role to Dr. Elnahal and believe he is an extraordinary candidate to serve as the next president and CEO.”

In response to Elnahal’s appointment Gov. Phil Murphy said: “It is bittersweet to see Dr. Elnahal leave the Department of Health for his new role as the CEO of University Hospital. Over the past year and a half, Shereef has proven again and again that he was the perfect choice for our administration’s first Commissioner of Health. Whether it was guiding the state through a troubling viral outbreak, working with the First Lady to tackle maternal health disparities, or ensuring that more patients than ever before will have access to medical marijuana, he has made us proud,” said Murphy who added: While I am sad to see him leave the Department of Health, I am immensely happy to see him continue his service to the people of New Jersey and some of our most underserved residents at University Hospital.”

Senate President Pro Tempore Teresa Ruiz, D-29th District, said: “I want to extend my warmest congratulations to Shereef Elnahal on being named the president and CEO of University Hospital. Since his time in the Department of Health, he has displayed a keen understanding of how to best approach the health issues and crises that are plaguing our state,” said Ruiz.

“Whether it be addressing the state’s infant mortality rates or continuing to battle the opioid epidemic, Shereef has shown his dedication to the health of our state time and time again. He has a wealth of experience and an undeniable passion for public health which will be incredibly valuable in his new role. University Hospital is critical to Newark as well as the entire region and I am confident he will be able to bring the hospital to new heights,” said Ruiz.

Linda Schwimmer, president and CEO, New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute said in a statement; “I’ve worked with Dr. Elnahal since we served as co-chairs of Gov.Murphy’s health transition team. I’ve seen firsthand his incredible energy and commitment to quality, safety, and equity in health care. He’s a strong and compassionate leader who will be a trusted partner for the Newark community.”

Schwimmer added; “Dr. Elnahal’s experience at the VA and New Jersey Department of Health will help him create and execute a vision for the future of University Hospital and its role as a patient-centered research and teaching hospital. It’s an inspired selection.

Debbie White, president of the Health Professionals & Allied Health Employees (HPAE) said as a union of nurses and health professionals, HPAE looks forward to working with Commissioner Shereef Elnahal, as the next president and CEO of University Hospital.

“This is an opportunity and we are optimistic that Commissioner Elnahal will continue the work the Interim President and CEO, Judith Persichelli began this year. Over the last few months, University Hospital has righted course in a new direction. As the only public hospital in New Jersey, University Hospital should be recognized for its role as a level one trauma center, premier teaching hospital and a leading health care institution in our state,” White said.

White added: “As Commissioner, Shereef Elnahal has shown a commitment to protecting University Hospital as a valuable public institution which provides quality care and is a resource for the entire community. As frontline caregivers, HPAE members will continue to advocate alongside community members to assure patients that their safety and access to care will remain a priority. We welcome Commissioner Elnahal to work with HPAE members as we urge lawmakers in Trenton to fully invest in University Hospital and meet their commitment to support NJ’s public health care institutions.”