Atlantic Health System Announces Retirement of Long-Time President and CEO Joseph A. Trunfio, PhD

On Sep 30, 2014

Atlantic Health System, the Morristown-based health care organization, announces the retirement of long-time President and CEO Joseph A. Trunfio, PhD.  Trunfio, who is 67 years old, has been an extraordinary leader at Atlantic Health System for the past 15 years.  He has overseen an expansion that has grown the organization into one of the largest and most respected healthcare systems in the region. Trunfio will continue to lead the organization as the Board of Trustees undertakes a national search for his successor.

During his tenure, Trunfio led the strategic expansion of the system – with the additions of Newton Medical Center and, most recently, Chilton Medical Center — to meet the needs of the organization and the region during a time of tumultuous change in the local, statewide and national health care climate. He also steered Atlantic Health System’s breakthrough onto national measures of excellence, including:

• U.S. News & World Report’s “Top Hospitals” list
• FORTUNE magazine’s “100 Best Companies to Work For” list for six straight years – this year at No. 25

A spot in the top three for AARP’s list of “Best Employers for Workers Over 50.” This is the sixth consecutive time the organization has been recognized by AARP

‘Inside Jersey’/Castle Connolly named Morristown Medical Center as No. 1 New Jersey hospital for four consecutive years (350 beds or more) and Newton Medical Center as No. 1 New Jersey hospital for three consecutive years (350 beds or fewer)

Championed the critical role of technology in patient care, introducing palm-recognition systems to confirm patient identity and other mobile innovations that have won Atlantic Health System recognition as a one of Health Care’s “Most Wired” organizations for five consecutive years

In 2013, Trunfio led the organization to develop AllSpire Health Partners, an alliance of seven health care systems that have come together to serve patients, families and communities in New Jersey, New York, Maryland and Pennsylvania. Through collaboration among the systems, AllSpire seeks to improve the quality, affordability and access to health care by sharing clinical, intellectual and economic capabilities. Trunfio also oversaw the 2011 creation of the Atlantic Accountable Care Organization, one of the largest in the nation, which serves to keep communities healthy and focuses on prevention and wellness.

“Joe has been an outstanding strategic leader of the organization during a period of accelerated growth and expansion,” said Karen Kessler, chair of the Atlantic Health System Board of Trustees. “We are forever grateful for his dedication and exceptional service.”

While Atlantic Health System has grown in size and scope – from 5,000 employees in three counties when Trunfio joined in 1999 to nearly 14,000 employees throughout northern New Jersey and along the Pennsylvania border in 2014 – Trunfio also has managed an engaged workforce by holding quarterly Town Hall meetings and remaining visible at all sites. His passion for quality patient care within a compassionate, healing environment has set an example of the organization’s mission and vision, “Empowering our communities to be the healthiest in the nation.”

“It has been a career highlight to lead Atlantic Health System,” Trunfio said. “I leave knowing that the best days for Atlantic are ahead, and that the path we forged will continue to position us as the premier health care system in the region. The organization’s Board of Trustees, donors and nearly 14,000 employees and 4,000 physicians deserve so much credit.”

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