Robert Garrett’s influential tenure as CEO of New Jersey’s Hackensack Meridian Health demonstrates exemplary leadership in healthcare transformation. Under his guidance since 2009, the non-profit health network pursued an aggressive growth strategy focused on advancing care through innovation.
Garrett championed the $5 billion merger between Hackensack University Health Network and Meridian Health to create a powerhouse with 16 hospitals and over 500 patient care sites. He also spearheaded partnerships and joint ventures to expand the network’s capabilities and scope.
A key part of Garrett’s strategy involved investing in groundbreaking technologies and instituting new models of care delivery. He helped launch a medical school, high-tech cancer center, and the state’s first virtual hospital. Garrett focused on value-based care and diversifying services to manage population health more effectively.
At the same time, Garrett invested heavily in culture change initiatives to create a unified workforce driven by compassionate care. He also developed an innovative on-site child care program to benefit working parents across the network.
Garrett’s vision and execution led Hackensack Meridian Health to become New Jersey’s largest private employer with a reputation for pushing healthcare progress. His commitment to caring, innovation and community will continue serving as a blueprint for the network’s ongoing success.
