After leading RWJBarnabas Health for more than 30 years, Barry Ostrowsky will retire on Dec. 31, 2022, but will continue to serve as CEO until then.

The RWJBarnabas board of trustees announced March 1 it had voted unanimously to appoint Mark Manigan — currently chief strategy and business development officer — as president of RWJBarnabas Health, effective immediately.

Manigan will report directly to Ostrowsky and will assume the role of president and CEO for the system on Jan. 1, 2023.

“Barry will always be recognized as an inspirational leader. He has been the key driver of many critical advancements for the system including the formation of the RWJBarnabas Health system in 2016, the academic partnership with Rutgers University and the system’s pivotal mission shift in creating healthier communities, driving health equity and ending racism,” said Marc Berson, chair of the RWJBarnabas board, in a statement. “We will be forever grateful to Barry for his tremendous service and leadership.”

Ostrowsky said Manigan “is a formidable strategist” who has helped the system grow. “In defining those attributes for success needed in our next leader, the Board sought an individual with a broad portfolio of experiences, plus a bold vision for the future. I am confident that Mark brings these skills and much more to this position.”

Manigan joined RWJBarnabas in 2019 as executive vice president, business development, and was promoted to chief strategy and development officer in 2020. He was responsible for the evolution of the strategic plan and oversight of RWJBarnabas Health’s Ambulatory Services Division. Manigan also served as a member of the system’s Strategic Council. Before joining RWJBarnabas Health, he was a leading health care attorney at Brach Eichler LLC, and also served on both Gov. Phil Murphy’s and Gov. Chris Christie’s health care transition teams.

“I am humbled and honored to have been given the opportunity to lead this incredible health system,” Manigan said in the statement. “I have been proud to work with Barry Ostrowsky, a true luminary in the field, whom I consider a friend and mentor. I am deeply moved by the commitment my 38,000 outstanding colleagues have to our mission and the communities we serve, particularly in response to the challenges presented by the pandemic.

In addition, RWJBH also announced that John Doll has been appointed to the new position of senior executive vice president and chief operating officer, effective immediately. Doll will lead the day-to-day operations of RWJBH and report to Manigan. Doll has held several leadership positions within the system, including chief integration officer, chief financial officer and, as of 2020, chief financial and administrative officer.

RWJBarnabas Health is the largest, most comprehensive academic health care system in the state, with a service area covering eight counties with 5 million people. It is among the Garden State’s largest private employers – with more than 38,000 employees and 9,000 physicians.