Hackensack Meridian Health recently made some big changes in their leadership team, with Chief Operating Officer (COO) Mark Stauder planning to retire soon. His retirement is set for July 2, 2025, and he will take on an advisory role before fully stepping down later in the year.
Stepping into Stauder’s shoes as the new COO will be Mark D. Sparta, who has been with HMH for a whopping 30 years. With experience leading the Northern Market and serving as President & Chief Hospital Executive of Hackensack University Medical Center, Sparta seems like a natural fit for the position. In his new role, he will be in charge of various operational and management functions across the network, including acute care hospitals, children’s and specialty hospitals, patient care services, and more.
CEO Robert C. Garrett praised Sparta’s leadership skills and his dedication to patient-centered care, expressing confidence in his ability to lead the operations effectively. Sparta’s journey at HMH began as a staff physical therapist, and he has since worked his way up through different leadership roles, contributing to the development of key projects like the Helena Theurer Pavilion and expanding services in the northern region.
In a move to streamline operations and foster collaboration, HMH has done away with the Regional President role and introduced two new positions: President, Acute Care Hospital Division, and President, Specialty Hospitals and Clinical Services. Kenneth N. Sable, MD, MBA, FACEP, with a wealth of experience in healthcare, will take on the role of President, Acute Care Hospital Division, overseeing the activities of acute care hospitals to ensure quality care. Regina M. Foley, PhD, MBA, RN, a long-time HMH employee, will serve as President, Specialty Hospitals and Clinical Services, focusing on strategic direction and operational performance in specialty hospitals and clinical services.
Jose Azar, MD, has been appointed as the Executive Vice President, Chief Quality Officer, and Clinical Service Line Officer, expanding his role beyond leading quality improvement efforts to overseeing the development of clinical service lines within the network. Garrett expressed confidence in the new leadership team, highlighting their dedication to quality, innovation, and patient-centered care, which he believes will drive HMH’s success moving forward.
With the new leadership team in place, HMH aims to enhance quality, foster innovation, and drive growth across the network to better serve patients and communities. The changes reflect the organization’s commitment to continuous improvement and providing top-notch healthcare services to all patients. So, it looks like exciting times ahead for Hackensack Meridian Health with this revamped leadership structure.
