Listen to this article

The basics:

• Helmy named chief corporate affairs officer at RWJBarnabas Health
• Will oversee new Corporate Affairs division, combining policy, communications, philanthropy
• Helmy previously served as US senator, Murphy chief of staff
• Promotion follows restructuring of external-facing functions across the health system

RWJBarnabas Health has promoted George Helmy to chief corporate affairs officer. The elevation expands the responsibilities of one of New Jersey’s most influential government, healthcare and public policy leaders.

Helmy previously served as executive vice president and chief external affairs and policy officer at the health network. With his promotion, he will now oversee a newly formed Corporate Affairs division. The unit brings together government affairs, communications, community health initiatives, philanthropy, regulatory strategy and strategic partnerships under a single leadership structure.

A former U.S. senator and chief of staff to Gov. Phil Murphy, Helmy played a key leadership role as RWJBarnabas Health has advanced several high-profile projects and initiatives in recent years. Those include:

• The opening of the Jack & Sheryl Morris Cancer Center in New Brunswick
• Development of the Melchiorre Cancer Center in Livingston
• Vogel Medical Campus in Tinton Falls
• RWJBarnabas Health Red Bulls Performance Center in Morris Township, and much more

He returned to RWJBarnabas Health in late 2024 after serving in the U.S. Senate. Murphy appointed Helmy to fill New Jersey’s vacant Senate seat in August 2024.

The Corporate Affairs division

The new Corporate Affairs division encompasses external affairs and public policy, internal and external corporate communications, community health and social impact, regulatory affairs and system planning, philanthropy and grants, and sponsorships and partnerships.

The promotion follows the recent creation of the Corporate Affairs team.RWJBarnabas Health President and CEO Mark Manigan announced the restructuring last month. The move brought together several external-facing functions under a single leadership umbrella.

In a note to colleagues shared with NJBIZ, Helmy said he is “incredibly proud” of the work being done across the divisions now housed within Corporate Affairs. And the impact they have on communities throughout New Jersey.

“This brings our external-facing divisions together to both ensure and enhance coordination and collaboration and will serve to better support the needs of each individual unit,” he wrote.

Loftier goals

Helmy said the new team’s work extends beyond organizational structure, rooting it in the health system’s broader mission.

“The work done within Corporate Affairs is about purpose and shared responsibility. It builds and protects trust, engagement, connection, and consistency across all stakeholder groups,” he wrote.

Helmy added that the team’s efforts will remain focused on supporting RWJBarnabas Health’s mission and the communities it serves.

“Every change we implement, new initiative we introduce and investment we make will continue to be done in support of our noble mission — it always has been and always will be about building and sustaining a healthier New Jersey,” said Helmy.

Helmy also credited employees across the organization for the health system’s continued growth and impact.

“Thanks to the work of you and your teams, RWJBarnabas Health is stronger today than ever before, caring for more people and saving more lives,” Helmy closed his note, adding that he looks forward to what the new Corporate Affairs team can accomplish together in support of patients, communities and colleagues.