Barnabas Health and Robert Wood Johnson Health System announced the completion of the merger of their two health systems to form RWJBarnabas Health. The partnership creates a new organization that will reach approximately 5 million people - more than half of the state’s population.
Barnabas Health President and CEO Barry H. Ostrowsky becomes RWJBarnabas Health’s president and CEO, with former Robert Wood Johnson Health System and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital president and CEO Stephen K. Jones serving as chief academic officer in the Office of the President.
Under the terms of the agreement, the two health systems have implemented a member substitution, creating a new organization based in West Orange. This approach is common for combinations of two large, not-for-profit organizations, and it creates RWJBarnabas Health, Inc., which will lead the combined health system. RWJBarnabas Health is being led by a single board of trustees and a single leadership team composed of executives from both organizations. The new board includes equal board representation from Barnabas Health and Robert Wood Johnson Health System, as well as the CEOs of both organizations.
“Barnabas Health and Robert Wood Johnson Health System share many attributes – depth of quality clinical services, skilled and dedicated clinicians, a legacy of teaching, a commitment to partnering with the diverse communities we serve, a responsibility as major contributors to our economy and so much more,” said Ostrowsky.
“Both Barnabas Health and Robert Wood Johnson Health System have a shared commitment to advancing medical education in our state,” said Jones. “As evidenced by Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital’s 40-year partnership with Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, and the proven teaching programs sponsored by Barnabas Health medical centers, our respective health systems have served as the training ground for thousands of medical professionals. As RWJBarnabas Health, our commitment to education and research will be strengthened.”
RWJBarnabas Health becomes New Jersey’s second largest private employer – with more than 32,000 employees, 9,000 physicians and 1,000 residents and interns. The health systems contributed a combined total of more than $550 million in community benefit services annually.
