Elizabeth A. Ryan, Esq., is president and CEO of the Princeton-based New Jersey Hospital Association, a not-for-profit trade association representing New Jersey’s hospitals and other healthcare providers that provides leadership on quality and patient safety, education and advocacy in both Washington, D.C., and in Trenton. 

As CEO, Ryan oversees NJHA, the Health Research and Educational Trust of New Jersey, a not-for-profit affiliate that promotes continuing patient safety, quality improvement education and research; and the for-profit Healthcare Business Solutions, which provides group purchasing and other business solutions for healthcare providers.  Prior to being selected as CEO of NJHA in 2008, Ryan served as its COO and its General Counsel.

Ms. Ryan started her career practicing law in Mount Holly and went on to serve as assistant counsel under former Gov. Jim Florio and Chief of Staff of the state Department of Health.  She also was a senior vice president with the New York City Health and Hospitals Corp. and a regional executive for the American Hospital Association and the Healthcare Association of New York State. She served as a member of New Jersey’s Board of Medical Examiners, the Clinton-Gore Transition Team, the legal audit team for the Clinton National Health Care Reform Task Force and both Governor Corzine’s and Governor McGreevey’s transition teams. 

Ms. Ryan has received numerous honors for her healthcare leadership.  In 2013 South Jersey Biz magazine named her as a “Woman to Watch.”  She also received 2012 Garden State Woman of the Year Award for Healthcare; 2012 Distinguished Service Award and 2011 Regents Award, both from the American College of Healthcare Executives - New Jersey Chapter; the 2010 Impact Award from the Organization of Nurse Executives/New Jersey; and the 2006 Women as Health Advocates Award from the N.J. Primary Care Association and New Jersey’s federally qualified health centers. In 2011 NJ Biz magazine named her as one the 100 Most Powerful Individuals in New Jersey Business and in 2012 as one of the most powerful 50 people in healthcare.

Ms. Ryan received her law degree from Seton Hall University School of Law and a bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University (Cook College).  She resides in Florence, N.J., with her husband and son.