On Feb. 13, 2024, John K. Lloyd, 77, boarded a nonstop flight to heaven dancing his way through the gates and giving high fives to all the angels who are there to greet him. It will not take John long to know everyone’s name, a trait that has followed him throughout his lifetime. John left his mortal self peacefully called home by those loved ones who have gone before and surrounded by his loving family here on Earth.
John was born in Philadelphia on April 6, 1946 to the late James H. Lloyd II and Margaret (Koons) Lloyd. As a child, John and his brother Jim lived a nomadic lifestyle as Army “brats” following his Army father and homemaker mother to numerous bases around the country and world. Moving every two to three years, whenever their father received an order to be stationed somewhere else, John learned to adapt to change and develop his “can do” attitude that would serve him throughout his life.
After serving as a World War II veteran tank commander, John’s father moved the family to Fort Wadsworth on Staten Island in charge of all the Nike missile sites along the East Coast. As a teenager John was given the option to join his brother Jim at the Peddie School in Hightstown. Excelling as a student, leader and star lacrosse player, John met the challenges of life away from his parents but none more than the loss of his father at the age of 17. After graduating from Peddie as president of his senior class and having been accepted to Princeton University in 1964, John worked his way through with the loving support of his mother, a medical secretary, as a member of the Navy ROTC program and waiting tables at the eating clubs. He led Princeton’s varsity lacrosse team as captain and was a part of the 1967 NCAA lacrosse championship team.
Upon graduation, John was called to serve his country at the height of the Vietnam War as a first lieutenant in the United States Marines from 1968 to 1971. Serving his country was one of his proudest accomplishments. He could often be heard shouting OORAH! in a crowd or proudly displaying the American and Marine Corps flags on his property flagpole.
After having been told by his father-in-law (who happened to be a celebrated physician) that his drive, passion for excellence and intelligence could help the field of medicine, John took advantage of the GI Bill to further his studies. He attended Temple University for an MBA with a specialty in health care management. Starting as an administrative resident at Episcopal Hospital in Philadelphia, John rose quickly through the ranks with a keen business sense, high energy and affable style that would serve him well throughout his career.
In 1982, when he was named president of Jersey Shore Medical Center, the hospital was at a crossroads. In collaboration with physicians, trustees, employees and community leaders, John quickly set the hospital on a track to success. Today, Jersey Shore University Medical Center is one of the leading independent academic medical centers in the nation. In January 1997, John led the merger of Jersey Shore with Ocean Medical Center and Riverview Medical Center to create Meridian Health. Eventually, Southern Ocean Medical Center, Bayshore Medical Center, Raritan Bay Medical Center and Old Bridge Medical Centers became part of Meridian as well. John was also instrumental in developing Meridian’s continuum of care, providing greater access to care for the communities we serve. Hackensack Meridian Health’s (HMH) ambulatory network is in a large part what it is today because of John’s vision and leadership.
John was president and CEO of Meridian Health, and later the co-CEO of Hackensack Meridian Health. Under his leadership, Meridian was consistently rated among the top performing health systems in New Jersey for clinical quality, was recognized by Fortune magazine as one of the “100 Best Companies to Work For” in America six times, and was the recipient of numerous state and national recognitions for patient care and nursing excellence, including the distinction of being the first health system in the country to receive Magnet designation for nursing excellence by the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
John, a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, is a past recipient of the Medical Executive Award from the Academy of Medicine of NJ and the Distinguished Business Leader Award from Monmouth University. John was recognized by the New Jersey Hospital Association (NJHA) as its Healthcare Professional of the Year. He has been ranked among the most powerful health care leaders by NJBIZ and has been listed as one of the “Nonprofit Hospital and Health System CEOs to Know” by Becker’s. John was a recipient of the Icon Award by NJBIZ and the Maurice Pollack Award for Community Service from Monmouth University. He was also honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the American College of Healthcare Executives of New Jersey. His philanthropy extended beyond the walls of health care including numerous charities within the community that he and his wife, Maureen, called home. All this well-deserved recognition doesn’t begin to demonstrate how wonderful of a man John was. He was well-known throughout HMH as being someone who truly cared for every team member. He brought his authentic self to work every day, and dedicated his life to serving his team, patients and other lives that could be improved by his strong commitment to community.
Utilizing his talents was also important to John. He enjoyed being on various boards and sharing his expertise in health care. John was a member of the board of directors at the former Commerce Bank; OceanFirst Financial Corp. and OceanFirst Bank; the Peddie School Board of Directors; the Advisory Board Member for Villanova’s School of Nursing; and the Georgian Court Board of Directors, to name a few.
As a fierce competitor in the realm of health care and an avid athlete, John enjoyed his “down” time playing tennis, platform tennis, skiing, golfing and on occasion racing his dog Luci in the pool! He developed a passion for offshore fishing as the captain of his boat, the “Great Escape.” Always looking to hook the “big tuna” 100 miles out at sea…which he succeeded in doing many times. John’s biggest joy was being with his family at the Jersey Shore body surfing in the waves and often teaching the youngsters how to master the technique. Traveling also became a highlight in his life, traveling to beautiful places in Europe, enjoying skiing out west or in the sun and warm breezes of Mexico.
John’s favorite phrase was “Let’s do it!” He can truly say that he did.
John was preceded in death by his parents James Hendry Lloyd II and Margaret Koons Lloyd; and his brother James H. Lloyd III. He is survived by his beloved wife of 30 years Maureen Lloyd; his children Larson Whelan (Chris), Trevor Lloyd (Jennifer) and Dylan Lloyd (Colleen); his grandchildren Logan, Harley and Emma Grace; his sister-in-law Blakeslee Lloyd; his beloved pups Luci, Desi, and Ethel; his grandpups Maeve, Sky, Jingles and Charlie; and many treasured nieces, nephews, cousins, and in-laws who have been an integral part of his life.
John’s memorial visitation and memorial mass will be private. A Celebration of John’s Life and Legacy will take place at a date to be later determined.
In appreciation for the incredible nursing care John received in the last three weeks of his life, in lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the John K. Lloyd Nursing Scholarship at HMH Riverview Medical Center at GiveHMH.org/Riverview or sent to HMH Riverview Medical Center, The John K. Lloyd Nursing Scholarship, 1 Riverview Plaza, Red Bank, NJ 07701. Because of John’s love of helping others in need, donations in his name can also be made to a charity of your choice.
This article originally appeared in the February 22 – 28, 2024 print edition of The Two River Times.
