Trinitas Regional president and CEO to retire

After 21 years at the helm, Gary Horan will retire from his position as president and chief executive officer of Trinitas Regional Medical Center, an RWJBarnabas Health facility, effective April 14. 

The Elizabeth health care provider made the announcement Jan. 12. 

“Gary Horan has been an exemplary leader in our industry for decades, and we have been indeed fortunate to have him drive the significant success of Trinitas Regional Medical Center for more than 21 years,” RWJBarnabas President and CEO Mark Manigan said in a statement. “We are grateful for his vision and abiding commitment to the community, particularly during the unprecedented challenges we faced during the COVID-19 pandemic.” 

Horan joined Trinitas Regional in 2001. Before that, he was president and CEO of Our Lady of Mercy Healthcare System Inc. in New York. He also served as vice president of hospital operations for New York University Medical Center, as well as in executive positions at St. Vincent’s Hospital and Medical Center, also in New York. 

A regular fixture on the NJBIZ Health Care Power 50 lists, Horan is chairman of the Hospital Alliance of New Jersey, the Catholic Healthcare Partnership of New Jersey and the New Jersey Hospital Association HealthPAC Political Action Board. 

He also is a current and past member of several industry committees and boards, including the New Jersey State Chamber of Commerce. 

During his tenure at Trinitas Regional, the medical center has seen vast changes and launched new programs, including joining the RWJBarnabas network, acquiring the Bayonne Community Mental Health Center, forming a residency program with Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and launching a joint unit with St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center to focus on behavioral health in northern New Jersey. 

St. Joseph’s Health also announced Jan. 10 that President and CEO Kevin Slavin is retiring this year.

“Gary Horan has demonstrated over the last 21 years that he is a superb leader who developed his staff and created a team atmosphere that has enabled Trinitas to become the outstanding hospital that it is, serving the needs of people in the greater Union County region,” said Vic Richel, chairman of Trinitas Regional’s board of trustees, which has bestowed Horan the title of president and chief executive officer emeritus. 

A company spokesperson told NJBIZ that no information on a search for a successor is available at this time.

Manigan added, “We wish him much happiness in the years to come.”