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RWJBarnabas Health appointed the successor to longtime Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Rahway President and CEO Kirk Tice, who announced this summer he will retire at the end of the year. 

Current Chief Nursing Officer Eric Kleinert will take on the new role of chief administrative officer for RWJUH Rahway, effective Dec. 31. 

“Eric has effectively served as RWJUH Rahway’s Chief Nursing Officer since 2023. His demonstrated success in strategic planning, operations and innovative thinking, as well as his commitment to delivering exceptional quality care to our patients, will serve RWJUH Rahway and RWJBarnabas Health well into the future,” Tom Biga, executive vice president and president of the Northwest Region for RWJBarnabas Health, said in a Dec. 17 statement. 

A hospital representative clarified that, although Kleinert’s title differs from Tice’s, he will serve as the top executive at RWJUH Rahway.

Meet the new exec 

A 30-year health care industry veteran, Kleinert joined RWJUH Rahway in 2012 as emergency department manager. He was since promoted twice, taking on his most recent position as vice president patient care services, chief nursing officer in 2023. 

The network credited Kleinert with helping lead the hospital’s operational response to COVID-19, its Epic electronic medical record system implementation, and in guiding multidisciplinary teams to combat sepsis and improve safety, among other accomplishments. 

Kleinert earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Kean University and a master’s in nursing leadership from Grand Canyon University. 

Gratitude for a longtime leader 

Tice will retire this month after 46 years with RWJUH Rahway – including 30 at its helm.

“During his nearly 50-year career at RWJUH Rahway, Kirk always put patients first. His leadership, vision and partnership has made an enduring impact on the team at Rahway and on the communities it serves,” Biga said. 

“Kirk has navigated the ever-changing healthcare landscape of New Jersey for half a century, all while keeping with his vision of putting patients first,” RWJBarnabas Health President and CEO Mark Manigan said in July. “He will be remembered for his legacy of commitment to better serve the residents of Union County.”

See also:

Former U.S. Sen. George Helmy will return to RWJBarnabas Health, following his recent appointment to fill the Senate seat vacated by Sen. Robert Menendez. Read more >>