Joy Lindo has joined the senior leadership team at New Jersey Hospital Association as general counsel.

The organization announced Lindo’s appointment Nov. 7. The attorney comes to the role having most recently served as the director of the Office of Legal and Regulatory Compliance at the New Jersey Department of Health, a position she held for more than a decade, according to her LinkedIn profile.

While the general counsel position is not a new one for NJHA, a representative for the group told NJBIZ that is has been unoccupied for the past few years.

“Joy is a highly respected counsellor who has tremendous insight into the demands on our health care system,” NJHA President and CEO Cathy Bennett said in a statement accompanying the hiring announcement. “That view is essential as our health care provider community faces [many] challenges, including chronic underpayment in government health programs, a historic workforce shortage, the impact of inflation and supply chain disruption and a growing demand for health care services as New Jersey ages and our communities face new health challenges.”

Beginning her career at Rutgers University, according to NJHA, Lindo’s past work experience also includes serving as a litigator with K&L Gates in Newark, as well as a law clerk in U.S. District Court and the New Jersey Supreme Court, to Justice Jaynee LaVecchia.

During her time with the NJDOH, Lindo was mentioned in a high-profile 2020 lawsuit brought by a former health official that alleged they were fired in retaliation for not performing COVID-19 testing they characterized as an abuse of power and potential violation of ethics.

A Ewing resident, outside of work Lindo enjoys volunteering in the community with her certified therapy dog, Willow, NJHA said.

“NJHA’s mission is to improve the health of New Jerseyans, and I’ve been drawn to that worthy pursuit throughout my career,” Lindo said. “I look forward to working with the leadership team and our members to ensure that New Jersey residents will always have access to the quality care they deserve.”

The NJHA’s membership is comprised of nearly 400 health care organizations, including hospitals, health systems, nursing homes, home health agencies, hospice providers and health care-related businesses and educational institutions, according to the organization. The group offers leadership in advocacy, policy analysis, quality and financial data, education and community outreach.