Robert C. Garrett, CEO of Hackensack Meridian Health, fourth from the right, with the health system’s executives, physicians and trustees, during the Jan. 29 ribbon cutting for Riverview Medical Center’s expanded Inpatient Oncology Unit. FILE PHOTO
By Sunayana Prabhu
Hackensack Meridian Health (HMH) CEO Robert C. Garrett will retire next year after leading one of the largest health networks in the state, HMH’s board of trustees announced Sept. 21.
Garrett’s retirement, effective June 30, 2027, caps a career spanning nearly 45 years within the system. In his last decade as CEO, Garrett led HMH through years of expansion, national recognition and major investment in innovation, the board said.
Upon retirement, Garrett will serve as CEO emeritus for up to one year to support the board of trustees as it conducts a national search for his successor. The HMH Board of Trustees said it expects to name a new CEO by the end of the first quarter of 2027.
“(Bob Garrett) and his exceptional team created the state’s largest health network – which is nationally recognized for high-quality care, growth and innovation,” Keith Banks, chair of the Hackensack Meridian Health Board, said in a statement. “Bob has been the driving force behind HMH’s unprecedented growth and transformation, its superior quality, innovation and commitment to building an exceptional workforce.”
The not-for-profit system, formed 10 years ago, has grown to 18 hospitals, more than 500 patient care locations and about 41,000 team members across New Jersey. According to the organization, the system is now nearly three times the size it was at its launch.
Under Garrett’s tenure, HMH also opened the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine and a discovery research center in Nutley, positioning itself as an international leader in clinical innovation and advanced treatment.
“At the heart of Bob’s legacy is his unwavering belief that we must deliver the most innovative and compassionate care to all patients,” Banks said. “HMH is solidly positioned for continued growth, and we are profoundly grateful to Bob and extend our warmest wishes to him for this well-deserved next chapter.”
Garrett said he was filled with a profound sense of accomplishment about the positive impact HMH has made. “I have had the honor of working for this incredible organization for virtually all of my career,” he said. “The dedication and compassion of our teams have been the cornerstone of our success, and I am confident that this commitment to excellence will continue to thrive. Leading Hackensack Meridian has been the privilege of a lifetime.”
During Garrett’s leadership, the system earned a series of national accolades. Hackensack University Medical Center is ranked the No. 1 hospital in New Jersey and No. 4 in the New York-New Jersey metro area by U.S. News & World Report. HMH said it is the only hospital in the state ranked No. 1 for both adult and children’s care for a second consecutive year. HMH also has one of the state’s top-ranked cancer centers and eight of its hospitals have received four-or five-star ratings from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
The network this year ranked No. 39 on Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For list across all industries. It is also nearing completion of a $1 billion “Be the Difference” fundraising campaign that includes a single $125 million gift (see story on Page 1). HMH said it is the largest philanthropic gift in New Jersey healthcare industry history and among the largest to any U.S. hospital or health system.
New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill praised Garrett as a long-standing partner in efforts to improve health statewide.
“Throughout his distinguished career, Bob Garrett has been a transformative leader for Hackensack Meridian Health and a proven partner to New Jersey in our shared mission to ensure the health and well-being of everyone in our state,” Sherrill said in the statement. “His unwavering commitment to providing compassionate, high-quality care has benefitted countless patients and families. We are immensely grateful for his decades of service and we wish him a long, healthy and happy retirement.”
HMH officials said Garrett also prioritized access and equity in care through expansive and successful strategies to improve affordability and convenience. The system is also working to address health inequities among vulnerable populations, identifying at-risk patients and connecting them to services through community referrals.
“Bob Garrett leaves an incredible legacy of improving the quality and reach of healthcare for communities throughout New Jersey,” Marc L. Boom, M.D., board chair of the American Hospital Association and president and CEO of Houston Methodist, said. “He has been steadfast and proven in his ability to drive true transformation and deliver for patients today and for generations to come.”
On the national and global stage, Garrett has served as chair of the World Economic Forum’s Health and Healthcare Governors community. He has appeared on Modern Healthcare’s list of the 100 Most Influential People in Healthcare for four consecutive years. In 2025, he received the Ellis Island Award. He is also set to be inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame at its Sept. 24 ceremony.
This article originally appeared in the September 24-30, 2026 print edition of The Two River Times.
