Jul 19, 2021 NJBIZ Recognizes RWJBarnabas Health with Health Care Heroes Awards

Seven RWJBarnabas Health teams and team members have been recognized by NJBIZ as Health Care Heroes – a program that recognizes excellence, promotes innovation and honors the efforts of individuals and organizations making a significant impact on the quality of health care in New Jersey. NJBIZ will recognize the 2021 honorees during a virtual ceremony on August 24th.

Honorees from RWJBarnabas Health, along with their corresponding categories, are listed below:

Healthcare Professionals: Steven K. Libutti, MD, FACS, Senior Vice President of Oncology Services for RWJBarnabas Health and Director of the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey

  • Dr. Libutti is committed to enhancing the delivery of high-quality, state-of-the-art cancer care and the conduct of groundbreaking cancer research and is overseeing the construction of a new 12-story, multi-disciplinary cancer pavilion – New Jersey’s first freestanding cancer hospital. His dual posts strengthen the successful partnership between RWJBarnabas Health and Rutgers University, ensuring the integration of their clinical and research missions. As a surgical oncologist, Dr. Libutti is internationally renowned in endocrine surgery and the management of neuroendocrine tumors.

Education: Dr. Ronald Nahass, Infectious Disease Specialist and Hospital Epidemiologist at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset (RWJUH-S)

  • Dr. Nahass worked tirelessly throughout the COVID-19 pandemic to educate hospital employees, physicians and community members about preventing the spread of COVID-19 and the importance of vaccination.

Innovation: Post-COVID Comprehensive Assessment Recovery Program at Saint Barnabas Medical Center

Physicians: Margarita Camacho, MD, FACS, Surgical Director of the Heart Transplant Program from Newark Beth Israel Medical Center

  • Dr. Camacho had the distinction of recently completing the 650th heart transplant of her career, a groundbreaking milestone believed to be reached by less than a handful of surgeons in the nation. As fewer than five percent of cardiothoracic surgeons are women, Dr. Camacho is an industry pioneer.

Public Health: Latino Community Outreach at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset (RWJUH-S)

  • The Latino Community Outreach program is committed to improving access to the COVID-19 vaccine to the Latino community and conducting education on the vaccine’s safety, efficacy and importance. The initiative also advocates for preventing the spread of COVID-19 and partnering to foster the distribution of personal protective equipment (PPE).

Volunteer: Angela Cuozzo-Zarro, President of the Auxiliary, Clara Maass Medical Center (CMMC)

  • Ms. Cuozzo-Zarro consistently displays her commitment and generosity to CMMC as well as the Foundation Board of Trustees and the Auxiliary, which raises funds to support innovative programs and technology. Although the pandemic halted in-person volunteering, she found ways to continue efforts and support CMMC, including a “Drive through Baby Shower” for newborns delivered, and community fundraisers in which a portion of the proceeds went to CMMC. She also recently made a large donation to assist in CMMC’s pursuit of improvement.

Workplace Wellness: Institute for Prevention and Recovery (IFPR)

  • IFPR launched programs to support the emotional health of employees during the COVID-19 pandemic, including self-care. Specifically, its Hope and Healing program provides emotional support for those affected by COVID.

Final nominees completed a two-phase application process and were evaluated by an independent panel of judges for NJBIZ.

In addition to the virtual ceremony in August, the honorees will be featured in a supplemental issue of NJBIZ on August 30.

For a complete list of honorees, visit https://njbiz.com/2021s-njbiz-healthcare-heroes/

ABOUT RWJBARNABAS HEALTH
RWJBarnabas Health is the largest, most comprehensive academic health care system in New Jersey with a service area covering nine counties with five million people. The system includes eleven acute care hospitals – Clara Maass Medical Center in Belleville, Community Medical Center in Toms River, Jersey City Medical Center in Jersey City, Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch, Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus in Lakewood, Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in Newark, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset in Somerville, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital at Hamilton in Hamilton, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Rahway in Rahway and Saint Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, three acute care children’s hospitals and a leading pediatric rehabilitation hospital with a network of outpatient centers, a freestanding 100-bed behavioral health center, two trauma centers, a satellite emergency department, ambulatory care centers, geriatric centers, the state’s largest behavioral health network, comprehensive home care and hospice programs, fitness and wellness centers, retail pharmacy services, multi-site imaging centers, an accountable care organization, and the Combined Medical Group of RWJBarnabas Health and Rutgers Health, which includes nearly 3,000 employed physicians, nurses and other health care professionals.

RWJBH is New Jersey’s largest private employer – with more than 35,000 employees, 9,000 physicians and 1,000 residents and interns – and routinely captures national awards for outstanding quality and safety. RWJBH, in partnership with Rutgers University, is creating New Jersey’s largest academic health care system. The collaboration aligns RWJBH with Rutgers’ education, research and clinical activities, including those at the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey - the state's only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center - and Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care.