May 5, 2026: NJHA Names 11 Honorees for 2026 Best at the Beach Awards
Celebration of NJ’s Healthcare Community Set for July 9 on Long Branch Beachfront
The New Jersey Hospital Association will posthumously honor the late Sister Jane Frances Brady, SC, with its highest distinction – the Lifetime Achievement Award – at NJHA’s flagship annual celebration, Best at the Beach, on July 9 in Long Branch.
Sr. Jane is among 11 honorees nominated and selected by their peers who will be celebrated at NJHA’s annual Jersey Shore event, which draws healthcare and other professionals from across the state.
Sr. Jane, who passed away in January 2026 at the age of 90, was a trailblazer whose influence reshaped healthcare delivery and policy in New Jersey and beyond. She devoted nearly 30 years to St. Joseph’s Health in Paterson, joining as an administrative assistant in 1966 and rising to become president and CEO in 1972.
Decades ahead of the national conversation, she championed the concept of population health – caring for the health of whole communities, not just individual patients. She was a tireless advocate in Trenton for expanded healthcare access for the poor and organized global relief missions through New Jersey’s chapter of Healing the Children.
“Sister Jane Brady was a mentor to scores of today’s healthcare leaders. She was the epitome of servant leadership – and that’s a quality you’ll see across every one of our honorees,” said NJHA President and CEO Cathy Bennett. “New Jersey is nationally recognized for healthcare excellence. That distinction is fully on display among the exceptional people and programs we honor at NJHA’s Best at the Beach.”
NJHA also will present the Distinguished Service Award to Dr. Vincent Barba, MD, chief medical officer and vice president of patient care and safety at Matheny Medical and Educational Center in Peapack, for his dedicated service to children and adults with medically complex developmental disabilities.
The full roster of individuals and programs being honored at NJHA’s Best at the Beach are:
- Legacy of Care Award – Diann Johnson, RN, Regional Vice President of Patient Services, RWJBarnabas Health
- Digital Trailblazer Award – Linda Reed, RN, Senior Vice President, Chief Compliance Officer and Digital Information Officer, St. Joseph’s Health
- Emerging Leader – Kelly Murphy, RN-BC, Emergency Department Nurse Manager, Hackensack Meridian Health Southern Ocean Medical Center
- Health InnoVision Award – Usman Shah, MD, Medical Director, GI Oncology and Phase 1 Trials Program, Atlantic Health Overlook Medical Center
- Healthy New Jersey Award – Virtua Health’s Oliver Station Community
- Clinical Excellence Award – Matthew Ostroff, APRN, Vascular Access Coordinator, St. Joseph’s Health
- Excellence in Patient Experience – Shore Medical Center’s Retired Physicians ED Navigator Program
- Inspired Aging Award – Trinitas Regional Medical Center, RWJBarnabas Health’s Transitions of Care Program
- Connect Award – RWJBarnabas Health Food Access and Nutrition Initiative.
NJHA’s Best at the Beach celebration is open to all who share our commitment to improving the health of New Jersey. Event details and registration are available at www.njha.com/BestAtTheBeach.
