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RWJBarnabas Health and Rutgers Cancer Institute have named a successor for Linda Tanzer, who will retire after 30 years as chief financial and administrative officer and deputy director for administration and planning.

H. John Pounardjian will take on the new position for RCI June 1. He will serve as a member of RCI’s executive leadership team and as the senior leader for administration, planning and finance, the health care provider announced at the end of April.

Pounardjian will be tasked with providing strategic guidance and direction for entrepreneurial opportunities as well as administrative and operational efficiencies across clinical, research, education and outreach enterprises, the hiring announcement noted. 

Saying he’s thrilled to come to the East Coast, Pounardjian will join RCI from Case Western Reserve University in Ohio. He most recently served as associate vice president and associate director for administration for the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center.  

According to his LinkedIn profile, Pounardjian has been with Case – the university and the cancer center – for more than 13 years combined. Prior to Case, he was with the Cleveland Clinic – Lerner Research Institute. 

Familiar territory 

Rutgers Cancer Institute is New Jersey’s only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. Pounardjian’s current employer is also an NCI-designated center. 

“John’s exceptional expertise in administration and finance within an NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center will enhance our leadership team as we prepare to open New Jersey’s only freestanding cancer hospital, the Jack & Sheryl Morris Cancer Center,” said Dr. Steven Libutti, William N. Hait Director of Rutgers Cancer Institute and senior vice president, Oncology Services, RWJBarnabas Health.  

Jack & Sheryl Morris Cancer Center in New Brunswick is scheduled to open May 13.

Pounardjian added, “From my first visit, I was impressed with the team Dr. Libutti has built and look forward to working together to change the face of cancer care and research in New Jersey and beyond.”  

Libutti also praised Tanzer for her three decades of service to RCI. He said the organization is “extremely grateful” for “leadership in building the foundation” of the institute.