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N.J. Executives Talk About How Their Organizations are Responding to the COVID-19 Vaccine Drive

The Edge for June 2021

An Exclusive Article for NJ ChamberEdge

Some New Jersey companies are encouraging their employees to get vaccinated for COVID-19. We asked N.J. Chamber members to talk about what their organizations are doing. Here is what they said:

 

Bishop David EvansLeadership Was Vaccinated First to Encourage Others

The core leadership of our ministry was vaccinated first to encourage the 27,000 members, as well as the surrounding community. This was followed by aggressive invitations through social media, public service announcements and radio coverage to be tested and vaccinated at our site. Thousands responded. As we prepare for the future, we continue to maintain precautions even though restrictive suggestions by the government have been modified.

– Bishop David G. Evans, Pastor, Bethany Baptist Church

 

Tom BrackenWe Are Providing Employees the Time They Need to Get Vaccinated

The business community must work to instill confidence in workers and customers that it is safe to once again visit stores, offices, restaurants and other places of commerce. It is incumbent on businesses to do their part by reminding employees what the medical data clearly show — that the COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective. At the New Jersey Chamber, we are encouraging employees to get vaccinated and we are providing them the time they need to get themselves and their families vaccinated. The faster we approach community protection, aka herd immunity, the sooner our economy shifts into high gear.

– Tom Bracken, President and CEO, New Jersey Chamber of Commerce

 

Barry OstrowskyAs Healthcare Workers, We Have an Obligation to Protects Patients

As healthcare workers and as team members committed to providing a culture of safety, we have an obligation to do all we can to protect our patients and the communities we serve. As a healthcare leader in the state, we must set the precedent to always provide the safest environment and protect the residents of New Jersey.

– Barry H. Ostrowsky, President and CEO of RWJBarnabas Health, in a statement on RWJBarnabas Health’s website announcing it is mandating COVID-19 vaccination for all team members at the supervisory level and above, with the anticipation that it will eventually be required for all staff.

 

Responses for this article were edited for space and clarity.

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Newsmakers

Hackensack University Medical Center has been named New Jersey’s top hospital for a fourth straight year – and the ninth time in the past 13 rankings by U.S. News & World Report. HUMC finished just outside the Top 20 rankings in the country, but it was ranked No. 6 in the New York metropolitan area. Atlantic Health Morristown, the only hospital to break HUMC’s grip on No. 1 in recent years, came in at No. 2. Atlantic Health Overlook came in at No. 3.

RWJ Barnabas Health was one of three systems to land two hospitals in the Top 10 of the prestigious U.S. News & World Report 2026-27 Best Hospitals rankings. Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick and Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston each ranked No. 6 in New Jersey and No. 23 in the New York Metro Area.

Hackensack Meridian Health was selected to PEOPLE’s '100 Companies That Care' list for 2026, coming in at No. 48. The list recognizes companies for their commitment to employees, communities and the environment.

Atlantic Health has named Dr. Vicki LoPachin to serve as its executive vice president and chief medical officer, the health system announced.

Johnson & Johnson announced a contribution of $300,000 to Rutgers School of Nursing–Camden to modernize its simulation lab and establish scholarships for first-generation nursing students.

Johnson & Johnson named Tom Cavanaugh executive vice president and worldwide chairman of its Innovative Medicine division, effective Sept. 1. Cavanaugh, currently the company group chairman for North America, succeeds Jennifer Taubert, who is retiring after 21 years with the company.

Inspira Health announced it has completed an expansion, doubling the size of its maternity unit at Inspira Medical Center Mullica Hill. The expansion bumps up the number of maternity beds from 20 to 38.

Bergen New Bridge Medical Center unveiled most of a new emergency department following a $10 million, four-year project aimed at addressing rising demand for mental health and addiction services. The expanded facility increases capacity from 19 to 49 beds and will grow to more than 60 beds when the final wing is completed in 2027.

RWJBarnabas Health has been named a ‘World’s Top Disability Inclusive Business’ based on its performance on the Disability Index, the leading global benchmark for workplace disability inclusion. The recognition recognizes the health system’s commitment to creating an inclusive workplace for its 45,000 employees, as well as inclusive patient experiences.

Saint Peter’s University Hospital has been honored with the American Heart Association’s prestigious ‘Get With The Guidelines – Stroke Gold Plus’ quality achievement award. It recognizes the hospital’s continued dedication to ensuring stroke patients receive swift, research-backed treatment designed to save lives and mitigate long-term disability.

The FirstEnergy Foundation has awarded a $100,000 grant to the American Red Cross of New Jersey to support disaster response efforts following recent severe storms.

Bank of America awarded a $50,000 grant to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Essex, Hudson & Union Counties to expand mentoring and workforce development programs serving more than 3,000 young people annually.

Moshe Kam, who has served as the dean of NJIT’s Newark College of Engineering since 2014, was named as the university’s interim provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. Kam succeeds John Pelesko, who is serving as interim president, following the retirement of Teik Lim this summer.

Rowan University’s William G. Rohrer College of Business introduced a 30-credit Master of Business Administration pathway, set to launch this fall. It expands options for working professionals and full-time graduate students seeking a more streamlined, efficient route to a high-level business credential without sacrificing academic rigor.

Archer & Greiner announced the elevation of six attorneys to partner, effective Oct. 1. The newly named partners are Eimi Figlio, Timothy Horn, Rafael Llano, Matthew Nicodemo, Amy Pearl, and Scott Sears.

Rizco President & Partner Debra Rizzi has been named an honorary commander of the 305th Operations Group at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. The program connects military commanders with civic leaders to strengthen understanding and relationships between the base and the communities it serves.

Goya Foods, the largest Hispanic-owned food company in the U.S., is donating more than 200,000 pounds of food to support communities affected by devastating earthquakes in Colombia. In partnership with Global Empowerment Mission, Goya is helping provide essential food and supplies to individuals and families most urgently in need.

Stockton University has received a $2.4 million grant from the Pro-NJ Trust to upgrade its Marine Field Station and Coastal Research Center in Galloway Township. The upgrades are expected to expand coastal research and educational programming.

MWW, celebrating its 40th anniversary this September, has grown into a global communications firm, with more than 225 professionals across North America, Europe and Latin America, advising organizations on corporate reputation, crisis management, consumer marketing, public affairs and employee communications.

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