Recognized for Excellence in Technology Leadership; Driving Systemwide Epic Rollout
West Orange, New Jersey, August 11, 2025 – Robert T. Adamson, PharmD, FASHP, Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer of RWJBarnabas Health, was honored as one of just 148 hospital and health system CIOs to know nationwide by Becker’s Hospital Review. The IT leaders featured on this year’s list are driving forward-thinking strategies that create meaningful improvements for both patients and providers. Working closely with their skilled teams, they’re transforming their hospitals and health systems through initiatives like EHR upgrades and other offerings.
As Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer for RWJBarnabas Health, New Jersey’s largest, most comprehensive academic health care system, Dr. Adamson is responsible for all information technology initiatives and imperatives, including strategic planning, technology leadership, and vision. He also maintains the role of Operational Leader for the system’s Epic Electronic Health Record implementation.
Dr. Adamson has transformed RWJBarnabas Health’s IT and EHR capabilities, culminating in a historic Epic “Gold Star Level 10” achievement immediately upon activation, the first in the vendor’s global history. He led the $855 million “Epic Together” implementation across the system’s hospitals, maintaining momentum through the Covid-19 crisis by initiating a productivity-boosting “strategic pause” that increased project efficiency by 43%. Under his leadership, the system earned 15 of 19 Epic operational excellence trophies and College of Healthcare Information Management Executives “Level 10 Most Wired” recognitions at 11 facilities. A pharmacist by training and seasoned executive, Dr. Adamson bridges clinical and IT priorities with precision and vision. He serves on multiple academic and governance boards and is widely published in pharmacy and health IT.
Previously, Dr. Adamson was the Chief Pharmacy Officer of the health system, and as such is skillful in communicating key IT rollouts throughout his healthcare system through a clinical prism. After earning a Bachelor of Science degree in pharmacy from St. John's College of Pharmacy, Dr. Adamson earned his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Rutgers University College of Pharmacy, where he is currently an adjunct instructor.
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 communities to build and sustain a healthier New Jersey. It provides patient-centered care in a compassionate 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 44,000 employees, contributing more than $5.5 billion to the state economy every year. For more information, visit www.RWJBH.org.