Page 12 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • November 18, 2009 Area Garrett named CEO and president of HUMC THE CHOICE IS YOURS FOR 14 CONSECUTIVE YEARS CONSUMERS HAVE SAID THAT HACKENSACK UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER HAS: THE BEST OVERALL QUALITY AND REPUTATION THE BEST IMAGE THE BEST DOCTORS THE BEST NURSES Robert C. Garrett The National Research Corporation (NRC) recently recognized the nation’s top hospitals as 2009/2010 Consumer Choice Award winners. HUMC is one of the hospitals chosen for having the highest quality and image in more than 300 markets throughout the U.S. Since the award’s inception 14 years ago, HUMC consistently made the list as consumers continually choose the medical center as having the highest quality healthcare. For a renowned physician affiliated with Hackensack University Medical Center, call Hackensack University Medical Center Proudly serving the community since 1888. www.humc.com J. Fletcher Creamer Jr., chairman of the Hackensack University Medical Center Board of Governors, recently announced that the board has named Robert C. Garrett as president and chief executive officer. Garrett has served as acting president and chief executive officer since May. He joined Hackensack University Medical Center in 1981, and was named executive vice president and chief operating officer in 1986. “After a five-month, nationwide search, which attracted more than 200 highly-qualified applicants, the board is convinced more than ever that Bob Garrett is the best person to lead Hackensack University Medical Center,” Creamer said. “He is dedicated to the mission of healing and passionate to achieve that mission. He has a proven record as a visionary administrator, an outstanding communicator and consensus builder, the kind of person who can make our great institution even better.” The search was conducted by Quick Leonard Kieffer, a nationally recognized executive search firm, which narrowed the highly competitive field of candidates to 10 after more than 80 phone interviews and nearly 30 in-depth, faceto-face interviews. The final candidates were presented to the board of governors for final selection. “I want to thank the board of governors and the entire family of Hackensack University Medical Center for their support and for their confidence in me,” Garrett said. “With the ongoing support of this motivated, talented team, we will continue to provide an exceptional standard of care and work to further improve the health and well being of the people of the New Jersey/New York metropolitan region.” In July, Garrett began work on a new heart and vascular hospital at HUMC, a facility dedicated to patients with cardiac and vascular disease focusing on state-of-the-art timesaving and life-saving care. This project includes a new employment model with community physicians and the recruitment of new cardiac and thoracic surgeons. He has also made significant inroads in communication and partnerships by creating new strategies with key constituents both internally and externally that have instituted a culture of transparency and credibility. Other recent accomplishments include an oncology affiliation with Saint Claire’s Hospital in Denville, which has strengthened the John Theurer Cancer Center’s tertiary referrals and the establishment of the “Touchdown Fund for Kids, Cardiac, and Cancer,” a unique partnership with the New York Giants to raise funds for medical center programs. As COO, he oversaw daily operations for the 775-bed, not-for-profit, tertiary care, and teaching and research institution. Based on inpatient admissions, HUMC is the fourth largest hospital in the nation and is ranked as one of the top 20 children’s hospitals. HUMC has been recognized by HealthGrades as one of America’s 50 Best Hospitals based (continued on page 29)