John K. Lloyd, the former co-CEO of Hackensack Meridian Health and an instrumental figure in its development, died Feb. 13 at age 77.

HMH announced Lloyd’s passing Feb. 16.

“John’s legacy lives on in New Jersey and at Hackensack Meridian Health. Beyond being a visionary leader, John was a wonderful man, well-known throughout HMH as being someone who truly cared for each and every team member,” said Robert Garrett, chief executive officer, Hackensack Meridian Health.

Garrett and Lloyd served together as co-CEOs.

“He brought his authentic self to work every day, and dedicated his life to serving his team, and our patients,” Garrett continued. “It was a privilege to work beside him as co-CEO. He was a great colleague, mentor and a true friend. Our network extends our deepest condolences to the entire Lloyd family.”

Lloyd was named president of Jersey Shore Medical Center in 1982. In January 1997, he led the merger of Jersey Shore with Ocean Medical Center and Riverview Medical Center to establish Meridian Health.

Southern Ocean Medical Center, Bayshore Medical Center, Raritan Bay Medical Center and Old Bridge Medical Centers would eventually join the network.

Lloyd served as president and CEO of Meridian Health. In 2016, Meridian Health and Hackensack University Health Network merged to form the Hackensack Meridian Health.

Distinguished career

Lloyd was born in Philadelphia April 6, 1946. An “army brat,” as described in his obituary, Lloyd eventually attended and graduated from Peddie School in Hightstown. He was accepted to Princeton University in 1964.

Lloyd served in the U.S. Marines as a first lieutenant during the height of the Vietnam War, from 1968-1971.

He attended Temple University on the GI Bill, earning an MBA with a specialty in health care management. Lloyd entered the health care industry in 1972.

As a leader, Lloyd’s work was celebrated. In 2017, he was an inaugural NJBIZ ICON Award winner.

He was also a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, a past recipient of the Medical Executive Award from the Academy of Medicine of NJ and the Distinguished Business Leader Award from Monmouth University.

The past New Jersey Hospital Association Healthcare Professional of the Year also appeared multiple times in the NJBIZ Power lists. Becker’s called him one of the “Nonprofit Hospital and Health System CEOs to Know.”

Lloyd was the recipient of the Maurice Pollack Award for Community Service from Monmouth University and honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the American College of Healthcare Executives of New Jersey.

Celebration of life

According to his obituary, Lloyd “boarded a non-stop flight to heaven dancing his way through the gates and giving high fives to all the angels who are there to great him.”

“It will not take John long to know everyone’s name, a trait that has followed him throughout his lifetime.”

Lloyd was preceded in death by his parents, James Hendry Lloyd II and Margaret Koons Lloyd; and his brother James H. Lloyd III. He is survived by his wife of 30 years Maureen Lloyd; his children Larson Whelan (Chris), Trevor Lloyd (Jennifer), and Dylan Lloyd (Colleen); three grandchildren; his sister-in-law Blakeslee Lloyd; his pups Luci, Desi and Ethel; his grandpups Maeve, Sky, Jingles and Charlie; and many treasured nieces, nephews, cousins, and in-laws.

A Celebration of John’s Life and Legacy will take place at a date to be determined.