Eric Kleinert Named Chief Administrative Officer
West Orange, NJ, December 3, 2024—RWJBarnabas Health, the largest, most comprehensive academic health system in New Jersey has appointed Eric Kleinert MSN, RN as Chief Administrative Officer for Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH) Rahway, effective December 31, 2024. He will succeed Kirk C. Tice, current President and CEO, RWJUH Rahway, who will be retiring from the position at the end of this year, as previously announced.
“Eric has effectively served as RWJUH Rahway’s Chief Nursing Officer since 2023. His demonstrated success in strategic planning, operations and innovative thinking, as well as his commitment to delivering exceptional quality care to our patients, will serve RWJUH Rahway and RWJBarnabas Health well into the future,” said Tom Biga, Executive Vice President and President, of the Northwest Region for RWJBarnabas Health.
Mr. Kleinert’s career includes 30 years of direct patient care and clinical leadership experience in areas such as medical, surgical, critical care, interventional radiology and the Emergency Department. He joined RWJUH Rahway in 2012 as Emergency Department Manager and was promoted to Senior Director Nursing Operations in 2016 and then to Vice President Patient Care Services, Chief Nursing Officer in 2023. Mr. Kleinert was instrumental in helping to lead the hospital’s operational response to COVID-19, its Epic electronic medical record system implementation, and in guiding multidisciplinary teams to combat sepsis and improve safety. During his oversight of the Emergency Department, he led the strategic growth of emergency services, facilitating significant improvements in length of stay and door to provider time.
Mr. Kleinert graduated from Kean University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing and received his Master of Science degree in Nursing Leadership from Grand Canyon University.
“During his nearly 50-year career at RWJUH Rahway, Kirk always put patients first. His leadership, vision and partnership has made an enduring impact on the team at Rahway and on the communities it serves,” Mr. Biga added.
About RWJBarnabas Health
RWJBarnabas Health is New Jersey’s largest and most comprehensive academic health system, caring for more than five million people annually. Nationally renowned for quality and safety, the system includes 14 hospitals and 9,000 affiliated physicians integrated to provide care at more than 700 patient care locations.
RWJBarnabas Health partners with its diverse communities to build and sustain a healthier New Jersey. It provides patient-centered care in a compassionate and equitable manner and is the state’s largest safety-net provider and leader in addressing the social determinants of health. RWJBarnabas Health provides food to the hungry, housing for the homeless and economic opportunities to those most vulnerable.
RWJBarnabas Health’s commitment to enhancing access to care includes a transformative partnership with Rutgers University, including the Rutgers Cancer Institute — the state's only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.
RWJBarnabas Health is among New Jersey’s largest private employers, with more than 41,000 employees, contributing more than $5.5 billion to the state economy every year. For more information, visit rwjbh.org.
Contact:
Carrie Cristello
Carrie.Cristello@rwjbh.org