The board of trustees at Hackensack Meridian Health announced Monday that Chief Executive Officer Robert C. Garrett will retire effective June 30, 2027, setting in motion a national search for the executive who will succeed the leader credited with expanding the system into the state’s largest health network.
Growth and institutional achievements under Garrett
Over the past decade, Garrett led the transformation of Hackensack Meridian Health (HMH) from a regional system into an expansive network. Under his tenure the organization grew to 18 hospitals, employed roughly 41,000 team members and operated more than 500 patient care locations across New Jersey, according to the health system.
HMH also launched the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine and established a discovery research center, moves the board credited with strengthening the system’s academic and clinical footprint. The health system says it has earned national recognition for quality, innovation and workforce culture during Garrett’s leadership.
“Under Bob Garrett’s leadership, he and his exceptional team created the state’s largest health network – which is nationally recognized for high-quality care, growth and innovation,”
said Keith Banks, chair of the HMH board.
Nationalstanding and performance metrics
HMH highlighted several recent accolades that underscore its reputation in the region and beyond. One flagship facility, Hackensack University Medical Center, was named the top hospital in New Jersey and ranked fourth in the New York-New Jersey metropolitan area by U.S. News & World Report. The system also reports distinction in specialty services, including the state’s top-ranked cancer center.
| Metric | Reported figure |
|---|---|
| Hospitals in network | 18 |
| Team members | 41,000 |
| Patient care locations | 500+ |
Implications of the leadership transition
The planned departure opens a pivotal moment for HMH as it seeks an executive who can sustain clinical performance, manage a large workforce and guide ongoing research and academic initiatives. Board leaders emphasized the organization’s strong position for continued expansion and quality improvement.
- Strategic continuity: The board’s national search signals a desire for a candidate able to build on HMH’s existing momentum in care delivery and innovation.
- Operational scale: Incoming leadership will oversee a broad portfolio—hospitals, outpatient facilities and an independent medical school—that requires integrated strategy across clinical, academic and community programs.
- Reputation and rankings: Maintaining national quality rankings and specialty program performance will likely be priorities for the next CEO.
Board Chair Banks praised Garrett’s role in driving growth and in cultivating a workforce-focused culture. The announcement characterizes Garrett as a central force behind the system’s expansion and national recognitions, and it extends the board’s appreciation as he prepares to step down.
Hackensack Meridian Health said the board will lead a nationwide search to identify the next chief executive, a process that typically involves executive recruiters, stakeholder consultations and vetting by trustees. The health system did not provide additional details on the timeline beyond Garrett’s set retirement date.
The leadership change comes as health systems across the country navigate cost pressures, workforce challenges and the need to invest in research, digital tools and community health. HMH’s selection of a successor will draw attention from regional and national health care stakeholders because of the system’s size and influence in clinical innovation and medical education.
Further details on the search process and interim governance arrangements were not released. The board’s public statement expressed confidence in the organization’s readiness for the next chapter.
