Hospital chooses S.B. man as CEO, president
BY CHRIS GAETANO Staff Writer

Stephen K. Jones

SOUTH BRUNSWICK - Stephen K. Jones, a South Brunswick resident, has been selected to be the new president and CEO of Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital and Robert Wood Johnson Health System, in New Brunswick, ending a sixmonth national search.

"Steve is uniquely qualified to lead Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital," said Gil Blitz, chairman of the hospital's board of directors. "As interim president and CEO for the last nine months, he has impressed the board and the entire hospital family with his ability to achieve significant success in a short period of time … . After meeting with many remarkably talented applicants from across the country, the board felt

Stephen

strongly that the continuity of Steve's demonstrated leadership serves the hospital best at this time."

Blitz also cited the hospital's financial success and national recognition for quality during Jones' tenure, as well as his efforts to strengthen partnerships with key elements as reasons for his appointment by the board.

Jones, 60, was appointed interim president and CEO of the hospital in December of last year, serving as senior vice president of operations prior to that. His previous experiences in health care management include tenures at Somerset Medical Center in Somerville and Barnert Medical Hospital Center in Paterson.

Jones said that he is looking forward to the future as the new head of the New Brunswick hospital, expressing excitement about its upcoming stem cell institute, its progress on development of an artificial, transplantable, permanent heart, the upcoming opening of new children's health facilities, and forthcoming developments in proton beam therapy for cancer treatment.

"I am deeply honored by the board's confidence in my ability to lead Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital and thank board members for giving me the opportunity to work in a job and a place I dearly love. It is a privilege to work with and lead so many outstanding individuals, each dedicated to providing the absolute best care to our patients," said Jones.