NJHA Names Coyle New Board Chairman at 94th Annual Meeting

PRINCETON, Jan. 25, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Joseph P. Coyle of Cedar Run, president and CEO of Southern Ocean Medical Center, Meridian Health, today was installed as chairman of the board of the New Jersey Hospital Association, the state's oldest and largest hospital and healthcare advocacy organization. The board chairman's official installation, as well as the appointment of new board officers and members, was held during NJHA's 94^th Annual Meeting at the Hyatt Regency Princeton.

Coyle succeeds outgoing chair Audrey Meyers, FACHE, of Valley Health System in Ridgewood. In taking the reins of the NJHA Board, Coyle said, "If there's any virtue we possess in abundance here in New Jersey, it's resiliency. We are indeed Jersey Strong.

"Certainly the past few months have demonstrated that – not only here within our state but to the nation and the world. We took a direct hit from one of the strongest storms ever to strike the East Coast. Winds reaching 100 miles per hour. A 14-foot storm surge. The eye of the storm passed virtually over the top of my hospital. And while it may have flooded our grounds and rattled our windows, there was no way it would shake the resolve of the people in this room and those who work within our facilities."

Coyle challenged hospital leaders to continue to work together, both in New Jersey and Washington, D.C., in meeting the challenges of healthcare reform.

"Here in Jersey, we take the punches and roll with them – turn them into an advantage. You see that today in all of our organizations as we rise to the challenge of reforming our healthcare system to sustain it for the future," said Coyle.

"And so, we counter funding cuts with a steadfast commitment to quality and efficiency. And we don't just talk the talk. We walk the walk through efforts like NJHA's hospital engagement network – where hospitals across our state are engaged in a frank and open effort to reduce healthcare-associated conditions.

"We're sharing our data, our successes, our failures and our lessons learned. And as a result we're seeing measurable results, including declining infection rates and a near statewide elimination of pre-term elective deliveries. Those are the types of efforts that yield real returns in healthcare savings – but more importantly, better and safer care for our patients."

Under Coyle as board chair, the following officers also were appointed to the NJHA Board: Secretary John A. Brennan, MD, MPH of Randolph, Newark Beth Israel Medical Center; Treasurer Dr. Deborah K. Zastocki, RN, CNAA, BC, FACHE, of Randolph, Chilton Hospital; Vice Chairman Leslie D. Hirsch, FACHE of Denville, Saint Clare's Health System; and Chairman-elect Stephen K. Jones of Kendall Park, Robert Wood Johnson Health System.

The following healthcare leaders also were appointed as new board members: Eileen Cardile, MS, RN, CNA, of Mullica Hill, Underwood Memorial Hospital; Alexander J. Hatala of Mount Laurel, Lourdes Health System; Robert P. Wise of Lebanon, Hunterdon Medical Center; Stephanie Bloom of Manahawkin, Community Medical Center; and Mary F. Campagnolo, MD, the Medical Society of New Jersey

The New Jersey Hospital Association, based in Princeton, is the statewide advocate for its 107- member hospitals, its 300-plus post-acute members and the patients they serve.

SOURCE New Jersey Hospital Association