PRINCETON – Neal Eicher of Hamilton, Mercer County, has been promoted to vice president of government relations and policy for the New Jersey Hospital Association.

In his new role, Eicher will lead NJHA’s state policy development and advocacy efforts in Trenton. He first joined NJHA in 2008 as a policy analyst and was promoted to director in 2013.

Prior to joining NJHA, Eicher served as chief of staff for former state Sen. Ellen Karcher. He received a bachelor’s degree in Politics and Russian from Juniata College in Huntingdon, Pa., and a master’s degree in Public Policy from Monmouth University.  He currently serves on the Executive Board of the New Leaders Council of New Jersey, a leadership association that trains and promotes progressive entrepreneurs.

NJHA (www.njha.com) is a non-for-profit trade association that delivers education, advocacy and other support services to New Jersey healthcare providers. It has close to 400 members, including hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation facilities and other providers devoted to delivering healthcare to New Jersey communities.