Recognized for Growing the Organization’s State Leadership Position
West Orange, NJ, January 11, 2024 – Michael Knecht, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at RWJBarnabas Health, was honored by Becker’s Hospital Review as one of its 2023 Hospital and Health System Chief Marketing Officers to Know. The Becker’s list recognizes strategic marketing and communications executives and highlights CMOs who position their hospitals and health systems as leaders within the healthcare sector.
Responsible for all branding, marketing, internal, external and crisis communications, and digital and external partnership functions, Mr. Knecht has established RWJBarnabas Health as the state’s most recognized health system brand. He has skillfully driven the system’s approach to reputation management, guiding its crisis communications responses across the enterprise, and maintaining a positive and transparent flow of information.
With three decades of experience in the healthcare industry, Mr. Knecht stands out for his hyper-local, forward-thinking approach, looking beyond traditional communications vehicles and platforms to reach all audiences where they already receive content. Working with trusted outlets and community leaders, he has built RWJBarnabas Health’s reputation as an organization that communicates often and transparently.
Mr. Knecht has prioritized impactful and culturally competent communications and led the development of award-winning communication and branding strategies for the system’s Health Equity, Antiracism, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, and Social Impact initiatives. He serves on the Strategic Council for the system’s senior leaders and provides counsel and support to the system’s executives, driving staff engagement and positioning the organization and its executives as national thought-leaders.
Mr. Knecht received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and a Master of Business Administration degree with a concentration in Health Administration from Temple University.
The full list of Chief Marketing Officers to Know honorees can be found on the Becker’s website.
About RWJBarnabas Health
RWJBarnabas Health is the largest, most comprehensive academic health care system in New Jersey, with a service area covering eight counties with five million people. The system includes twelve acute care hospitals – Clara Maass Medical Center in Belleville, Community Medical Center in Toms River, Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, 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 Hamilton in Hamilton, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Rahway in Rahway and Trinitas Regional Medical Center in Elizabeth, three acute care children’s hospitals, Children’s Specialized Hospital with a network of outpatient pediatric rehabilitation 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, affiliated medical groups, multi-site imaging centers and two accountable care organizations.
RWJBarnabas Health is among New Jersey’s largest private employers – with more than 38,000 employees and 9,000 physicians– and routinely captures national awards for outstanding quality and safety. RWJBarnabas Health launched an affiliation with Rutgers University to create New Jersey’s largest academic healthcare system. The collaboration aligns RWJBarnabas Health 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.
Contact: Carrie Cristello
Carrie.Cristello@rwjbh.org