(Courtesy of Barnabas Health) In response to Barry H. Ostrowsky’s long-stated plan to retire from RWJBarnabas Health on December 31, 2022, after leading the enterprise for over 30 years, the RWJBarnabas Health Board of Trustees has voted unanimously to appoint Mark E. Manigan—currently chief strategy and business development officer—as president of RWJBarnabas Health, effective immediately. As president, Manigan will report directly to Ostrowsky, who will retain the title of chief executive officer until his retirement. After a successful transition, Manigan will assume the role of president and chief executive officer for the system on January 1, 2023.
Marc E. Berson, chair of the RWJBarnabas Health Board of Trustees, convened a succession planning committee of the Board and retained an internationally known executive search firm to identify potential candidates in the market. After several months of exhaustive work and the review of both internal and external candidates, the committee’s recommendation of Manigan was unanimously approved by the full RWJBH Board of Trustees.
“Barry will always be recognized as an inspirational leader. He has been the key driver of many critical advancements for the system, including the formation of the RWJBarnabas Health system in 2016, the academic partnership with Rutgers University and the system’s pivotal mission shift in creating healthier communities, driving health equity and ending racism,” said Berson. “We will be forever grateful to Barry for his tremendous service and leadership.”
“Mark Manigan is a formidable strategist who has driven remarkable growth and expansion for the health system since joining in 2019,” said Ostrowsky. “In defining those attributes for success needed in our next leader, the Board sought an individual with a broad portfolio of experiences, plus a bold vision for the future. I am confident that Mark brings these skills and much more to this position.”
Manigan, age 50, joined RWJBarnabas Health in 2019 as executive vice president, business development, and was later promoted to chief strategy and development officer in 2020. In this capacity, he led the system’s business development function and was responsible for the evolution of the strategic plan and oversight of RWJBarnabas Health’s Ambulatory Services Division. He also served as a key member of the system’s Strategic Council.
Before joining RWJBarnabas Health, Manigan was a leading healthcare attorney in New Jersey at Brach Eichler, LLC, where he counseled a wide array of healthcare clients including publicly traded companies, health systems, insurance companies, private equity sponsors, ambulatory care facilities and physician groups on complex mergers and acquisitions, consolidation strategies and regulatory matters. Manigan is consistently sought by public and private stakeholders for insight into industry trends and healthcare policy, and served on both Governor Phil Murphy’s and Governor Chris Christie’s healthcare transition teams.
“I am humbled and honored to have been given the opportunity to lead this incredible health system,” said Manigan. “I have been proud to work with Barry Ostrowsky, a true luminary in the field, whom I consider a friend and mentor. I am deeply moved by the commitment my 38,000 outstanding colleagues have to our mission and the communities we serve, particularly in response to the challenges presented by the pandemic.”
In addition to the appointment of Manigan, RWJBH announced that John W. Doll, age 50, has been appointed to the newly created position of senior executive vice president and chief operating officer for the system, effective immediately. Doll will lead the day-to-day operations of RWJBH, and report to Manigan. In appointing him to this critical role, the Board has selected a proven leader who has successfully guided RWJBH’s financial operations through mergers, consolidations and challenges, such as its response to the pandemic. Doll has held several leadership positions within the system, including chief integration officer, chief financial officer and, as of 2020, chief financial and administrative officer.
“The Board and I are confident that Mark and John are the right leaders to take the helm at this crucial time in healthcare,” said Ostrowsky. “We are certain that the highly effective and productive partnership forged by these two executives will continue to propel the advancement of this healthcare system for decades to come.”
