HackensackUMC Names Dr. Joseph E. Parrillo as Chairman of Heart & Vascular Hospital

HACKENSACK, N.J., Oct. 11, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Hackensack University Medical Center today introduced Dr. Joseph E. Parrillo as the new chairman of its Heart &Vascular Hospital – one of America's Top Fifty Hospitals according to U.S. News & World Report.  Prior to his arrival at HackensackUMC, Dr. Parrillo was Professor and Chairman of the Department of Medicine at Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, Chief of the Department of Medicine, the Edward D. Viner Chair of the Department of Medicine and Director of Cooper Heart Institute at Cooper University Hospital in Camden, New Jersey. Prior to Cooper, Dr. Parrillo established the cardiovascular program at Rush Medical Center in Chicago.

Dr. Parrillo's involvement in academia has led to significant medical findings.  Examples of his work can be found in the more than 1,030 publications he has authored or co-authored.  His outstanding research, teaching ability and patient care has led to numerous professional honors and awards such as the Cornell University Medical College Alpha Omega Alpha Award for Teaching Excellence and the Distinguished Clinical Educator Award from the National Institutes of Health (NIH).  Dr. Parrillo has received the NIH Director's Award, the highest civil service employee honor, for "creating a superior Critical Care Medicine Department, which has permitted NIH Institutes to conduct research involving very sick patients."  In 2012, Dr. Parrillo received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American College of Critical Care Medicine in recognition of his extraordinary contributions to research, education,  and patient care.

"Dr. Parrillo is one of the most knowledgeable cardiac experts in the country.  The respect he inspires throughout the medical community will continue to enhance our Heart & Vascular Hospital's mission to lead the pursuit of excellence," said Robert C. Garrett, president and chief executive officer of Hackensack University Health Network.  "We expect his stewardship to lead to groundbreaking research and an even better patient experience."

Dr. Parrillo was humbled by his selection as chairman.  "I would like to thank the entire Hackensack University Medical Center family for this opportunity.  It is rare to be selected for such a prestigious position.  The Heart & Vascular Hospital is ranked among the best cardiology and heart surgery hospitals in the country and it will be my privilege to be part of this amazing team."

"HackensackUMC is honored to have a team of world class physicians and we are delighted that Dr. Parrillo is joining us," said Dr. Ihor Sawczuk, executive vice president and chief medical officer at HackensackUMC. "His knowledge and leadership in the cardiovascular community is remarkable. HackensackUMC's exceptional award-winning care coupled with Dr. Parrillo's prestigious background will take our cardiovascular program to the next level."

For additional information about Hackensack University Medical Center's Heart & Vascular Hospital or to find one of its world class physicians, please visit www.HackensackUMC.org or call 1-855-996-WELL (9355).

About Hackensack University Medical Center
HackensackUMC, a non-profit teaching and research hospital located in Bergen County, New Jersey, is the largest provider of inpatient and outpatient services in the state, and home to the only Level II Trauma Center in the county. This 775-bed facility has gone beyond traditional thinking by creating an entire campus of care, including: the Heart & Vascular Hospital, the John Theurer Cancer Center, the Joseph M. Sanzari Children's Hospital, and the Donna A. Sanzari Women's Hospital. As a result of using science and creativity to push medicine further, HackensackUMC was listed as the number one hospital in New Jersey and one of the top four New York metro area hospitals by the U.S. News & World Report, and has received nine national rankings in: Cancer; Cardiology & Heart Surgery; Ear, Nose & Throat; Gastroenterology; Geriatrics; Neurology & Neurosurgery; Orthopedics; Urology; and the Joseph M. Sanzari Children's Hospital ranked as one of the Top 25 Best Children's Hospitals for neurology and neurosurgery in the 2012-13 Best Children's Hospitals list. The medical center has also been named one of the Thomson Reuters 100 Top Hospitals® and one of America's 50 Best Hospitals by HealthGrades®. It is listed among the Leapfrog Top Hospitals List, received 18 Gold Seals of Approval™ by the Joint Commission, and is listed as one of the 50 Best Hospitals in America by Becker's Hospital Review. It was the first hospital in New Jersey and second in the nation to become a Magnet® recognized hospital for nursing excellence. The medical center is the hometown hospital of the New York Giants, and remains committed to its community through fundraising and community events. To learn more about one of the nation's 50 best hospitals, visit: www.HackensackUMC.org.

SOURCE Hackensack University Medical Center