Newark Community Leaders, Health Care and Public Safety Experts Join University Hospital Board of Directors

Five Directors from Across New Jersey Approved by State Senate

NEWARK, N.J. — University Hospital, the State’s only public academic medical center, the principle teaching hospital for Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and the Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, and the sole state-certified Level I Trauma Center in Northern New Jersey, today announced that the New Jersey State Senate has approved five new members to the Hospital’s Board of Directors.

As a public entity, University Hospital is governed by a thirteen-member Board of Directors whose members are nominated by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate, to serve five-year terms.

University Hospital is proud to welcome the following new Directors:

Sarah Adelman – Incoming Board Chair
Most recently serving as Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Human Services, Sarah has been designated by Governor Mikie Sherrill to serve as Board Chair. She brings extensive experience overseeing Medicaid, behavioral health, disability services, and other critical safety-net programs serving millions of New Jersey residents.

First Lady Linda Baraka
First Lady of the City of Newark and tireless advocate for community-based initiatives, Linda Baraka is focused on health, education, and equity for people who live and work in Newark.

Tracie DeSarno
Senior Partner at Public Strategies Impact, Tracie has decades of experience navigating complex governance and policy issues and previously served nearly ten years as Director of Intergovernmental Affairs for Essex County.

Reverend Dr. David Jefferson, Sr., Esq.
A respected community leader, attorney, and advocate, Dr. Jefferson is a former top Executive at AT&T and Comcast and now serves as the Lead Clergy for Choose Healthy Life for the City of Newark. He has been the long-serving pastor of the historic mega Metropolitan Baptist Church in Newark.

Sheriff Amir D. Jones
With over a decade of professional experience in investigations, government, and law enforcement, Essex County Sheriff Jones currently oversees one of the largest and most active sheriff’s offices in New Jersey.

In addition, Dean Amy P. Murtha, MD, joins the Board as the designee for the Dean of the New Jersey Medical School, consistent with statute. Dr. Murtha is an accomplished academic physician, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist, and leader in medical education and research.

“University Hospital is excited to welcome this distinguished group of leaders to our Board of Directors,” said Carole Johnson, President and Chief Executive Officer of University Hospital. “Together, they bring deep experience in public service, health care services, public safety, and community leadership that will strengthen the Hospital’s governance and support our mission of providing the highest quality care to the people of Newark and our neighboring communities.”

Johnson added, “We are also deeply grateful to the Board members whose terms have concluded and who served with distinction for many years. Their stewardship has helped position University Hospital for long-term success and guided an unprecedented redevelopment and modernization initiative now taking shape across our campus.”

“University Hospital is more than just a hospital; it is a vital anchor for the health of our entire state. I am proud to appoint Sarah Adelman as Board Chair to guide this group of distinguished leaders as they help ensure that University Hospital remains at the forefront of health equity and high-quality care in New Jersey,” said Governor Mikie Sherrill.

Existing Board Members include:

• Joseph Baumann, Esq. (Vice-Chair), Member of McManimon, Scotland & Baumann;

• Cecile A. Feldman, DMD, MBA (ex-officio), Dean of the Rutgers School of Dental Medicine;

• Heather Howard, JD, Professor of the Practice and Director, State Health and Value Strategies at Princeton School of Public and International Affairs;

• Robert L. Johnson, MD, FAAP (ex-officio), Interim Chancellor of Rutgers Health;

• Mark A. Lattouf, MD, Director of Medical Affairs at Sanofi;

• Mary O’Dowd, MPH (ex-officio), Executive Director of Health Systems and Population Health Integration at Rutgers Health; and

• Ketlen Baptiste Alsbrook, MPA (ex-officio), Director of the Newark Department of Health & Community Wellness.

University Hospital has launched a significant redevelopment and modernization effort designed to expand access, enhance patients’ experiences, and support the Hospital’s role as a leading academic medical center. Recent and ongoing initiatives include:

• Groundbreaking and construction of a new expanded campus, beginning with the first building in a planned multi-building clinical and academic complex in partnership with Rutgers Health;
• Completion of a major expansion and redesign of the University Hospital Emergency Department, which serves more than 100,000 patient visits annually;
• Continued expansion of the Center for Advanced Liver Diseases and Transplant, home to the Hospital’s nationally-ranked liver transplant program;
• Modernized operating rooms and same-day procedure suites, designed to make it easier to access care, including outpatient surgery; and
• Deployment of new, state-of-the-art ambulances supporting University Hospital’s Emergency Medical Services, recently recognized among the top EMS systems in New Jersey.

Senate Majority Leader Teresa Ruiz

“University Hospital plays a vital role in the health, safety, and economic vitality of Newark and the entire region. The Senate’s confirmation of these Board members, including Sarah Adelman as Board Chair, brings experienced professionals who can effectively interface with hospital leadership and help take the institution to the next level, reflecting our continued commitment to strong, capable governance at New Jersey’s only public academic medical center. I am confident this Board will continue advancing University Hospital’s mission of excellence in care, education, and community service, especially at a time when cuts to Medicaid and other vital health care programs are placing families and communities at greater risk.”

Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr.

“University Hospital is a cornerstone institution for the City of Newark and Essex County, serving our residents every day to keep our community healthy and safe. These new Board members bring deep ties to our community and a strong record of public service. Their leadership will help ensure continued stability and progress at a time when University Hospital is building and investing in its future and expanding access to high-quality care for Newark families.”

Sarah Adelman, Board Chair

“I am honored to serve as Chair of the University Hospital Board of Directors at such a critical time for health care services in New Jersey. With significant challenges facing Medicaid and safety-net providers nationwide, University Hospital’s mission has never been more important. I look forward to bringing my experience to support the Hospital’s leadership, ensure its financial and operational stability, and support its continued ability to deliver high-quality, lifesaving care to the Newark community and region.” 

To learn more about the University Hospital Board of Directors, please visit https://www.uhnj.org/about-us/board-of-directors/