Meridian Announces Institute for Clinical Integration Named After Well Respected Nursing Leader

NEPTUNE, N.J., Jan. 8, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Meridian Health is pleased to announce the formation of the Richard Hader Institute for Clinical Integration.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130108/DC39483)

"Meridian is recognized regionally and nationally for its outstanding clinical care," explains John K. Lloyd, FACHE, president of Meridian Health. "After years of research and the dedication of resources, we developed a very successful multidisciplinary approach to patient care that brings together our physicians, nurses and other caregivers to collaborate on a single standard of care for all patients."

Lloyd says that there are complex challenges to achieving clinical integration. "The development of this Institute provides a formal organizational structure whose focus will be to eliminate fragmented care and truly integrate care across the full continuum." According to Lloyd, the Institute will be a system-wide initiative providing clinical research, identification of best practices, implementation of those practices, and the ongoing evaluation of successful clinical results. Working collaboratively, caregivers throughout Meridian can deliver quality, patient-centered care in all settings including hospitals, outpatient, long-term care, and even in the home.

Lloyd says that the Richard Hader Institute for Clinical Integration will support Meridian initiatives such as the CMS Meridian's Accountable Care Organization, CMS Palliative Care demonstration project, Healthy Advantage pilot for team members, and the Meridian-Geisinger Medicare Advantage partnership, to name a few.

"As we prepared to make this announcement, it occurred to me that there would be no better tribute than to name this innovative organization for the individual who has advocated for integration for so many years," says Lloyd. "Dr. Hader's name is synonymous throughout Meridian and the physician and nursing communities with collaboration, clinical expertise, integrity and patient focus."

The Meridian Health Board of Trustees approved the naming of this new entity as the Richard Hader Institute for Clinical Integration in honor of Richard T. Hader, RN, Ph.D., FAAN, CHE, NE-BC, CPHQ who is the senior vice president and chief nursing officer for Meridian Health and has been an integral part of the organization for more than 30 years.  

"Rich is highly regarded for his clinical and leadership skills and is held in high esteem by our physician, nurses, team members and leaders," says Lloyd. Under Dr. Hader's leadership, Meridian Health became the first health system in the country to earn prestigious Magnet status for nursing excellence. Among Dr. Hader's most profound impacts on the practice of nursing is the innovative Model of Care pioneered at Meridian Health. With the support of grant funding by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Dr. Hader led the transformation of nursing practice and patient care at Meridian's hospitals. The Meridian Model of Care has become a showcase for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and is widely known within the Magnet nursing community as an exemplary program and philosophy.

"At Meridian, it's always about what you bring to the table in the name of patient care," says Dr. Hader. "The Institute is an opportunity for all disciplines to come together and work as a team on behalf of the best interests and outcome for the patients and family."  As for the naming of the Institute in acknowledgment of his years of dedication and vision, Dr. Hader simply said, "How privileged can one person be?  I am truly humbled and honored by this meaningful gesture and confident that the mission behind the Institute will be all about making things even better for our patients."

Dr. Hader's local advocacy efforts over the past several years have led to the development of two major partnerships to increase access to nursing education in Monmouth and Ocean counties: he championed the Seton Hall University at Georgian Court University accelerated BSN program and he was instrumental in establishing the Georgian Court-Meridian Health School of Nursing, a four-year baccalaureate program and innovative and unique partnership between a not-for-profit, independent health system and a local Catholic university. 

"Rich is a true bellwether for the practice of nursing and his innovations and influence have resonated well beyond Meridian borders," adds Lloyd who says Rich's teachings have a profound impact on policy locally, regionally, and nationally. In his role as Editor-in-Chief of Nursing Management, the leading national nursing leadership journal (circulation of 80,000), Dr. Hader influences national health policy. And in 2011, the New Jersey Hospital Association awarded him "Healthcare Professional of the Year" for his undeniable leadership and professionalism, as well as his commitment to the advancement of nursing practice. 

"Rich is simply a first-rate, phenomenal leader and a passionate champion for nursing and patient care as well as a friend to all of us at Meridian," says Lloyd. "The Richard Hader Institute for Clinical Integration is destined to become the hallmark of clinical integration — integration which is vital to the transformation of health care in this country."

Lloyd also announced that the Mildred Rosa Charitable Trust has made a $250,000 gift in honor of Rich which will be used to launch the Richard Hader Institute of Clinical Integration.

About Meridian Health

Meridian Health is a leading not-for-profit health care organization in New Jersey, comprising Jersey Shore University Medical Center and K. Hovnanian Children's Hospital in Neptune, Ocean Medical Center in Brick, Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank, Southern Ocean Medical Center in Manahawkin, Bayshore Community Hospital in Holmdel, and Meridian Partner Companies that include home health services, skilled nursing and rehabilitation centers, ambulatory care, ambulance services, and outpatient centers. Meridian Health has consistently been rated among the top performing health systems in New Jersey for clinical quality, is one of the FORTUNE "100 Best Companies to Work For", and is the recipient of numerous state and national recognitions for patient care and nursing excellence, including the distinction of being the first health system in the country to receive Magnet designation for nursing.

Robert Cavanaugh
Manager, Public Affairs
Meridian Health
732-406-4454
[email protected]

SOURCE Meridian Health