Barnabas Health and Robert Wood Johnson Health System complete merger

WEST ORANGE, NJ — Barnabas Health and Robert Wood Johnson Health System recently announced the completion of the merger of their two health systems to form RWJBarnabas Health. The partnership creates a new organization that will reach approximately five million people — more than half of the state’s population — and that will advance the health of the region, according to a press release.

Barnabas Health President and CEO Barry H. Ostrowsky takes up the same roles for RWJBarnabas Health, with former Robert Wood Johnson Health System and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital President and Chief Executive Officer Stephen K. Jones serving as chief academic officer in the office of the president.

“Barnabas Health and Robert Wood Johnson Health System share many attributes: depth of quality clinical services, skilled and dedicated clinicians, a legacy of teaching, a commitment to partnering with the diverse communities we serve, a responsibility as major contributors to our economy and so much more,” Ostrowsky said in the release. “By joining together, we have created the most comprehensive health system in the state, which will enable us to effect the kind of change in the health of our communities that our two separate systems could not do alone. Our partnership also means a greater level of diversity in every respect — diversity in thought, clinical care delivery and workforce — a true reflection of New Jersey and of the people we serve.”

The new system will train more than 1,000 residents and interns annually and embrace the mission of academic medicine, which includes quality clinical care, joined with groundbreaking research and a commitment to medical education, according to the release.

“Both Barnabas Health and Robert Wood Johnson Health System have a shared commitment to advancing medical education in our state,” Jones said in the release. “As evidenced by Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital’s 40-year partnership with Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, and the proven teaching programs sponsored by Barnabas Health medical centers, our respective health systems have served as the training ground for thousands of medical professionals. As RWJBarnabas Health, our commitment to education and research will be strengthened.”

Under the terms of the agreement, the two health systems have implemented a member substitution, creating a new organization based in West Orange. This approach is common for combinations of two large, not-for-profit organizations, and it creates RWJBarnabas Health Inc., which will lead the combined health system. RWJBarnabas Health is being led by a single board of trustees and a single leadership team composed of executives from both organizations. The new board includes equal board representation from Barnabas Health and Robert Wood Johnson Health System, as well as the CEOs of both organizations.

“By working together, we know we can combat disease and promote wellness in our region — truly making our communities healthier,” Ostrowsky said. “We will be working every day — with your help — to ensure that our vision becomes New Jersey’s reality.”

  Robert Wood Johnson, RWJBarnabas Health