Visconi named 2026 chair of New Jersey Hospital Association

Bergen New Bridge Medical Center President and CEO Deborah Visconi began her term as 2026 board chair of the New Jersey Hospital Association Jan. 29.

The installation took place during the NJHA Annual Meeting in Princeton Thursday. Visconi succeeds 2025 Chair Mark Stauder, Hackensack Meridian Health’s recently retired chief operating officer.

Founded in 1918, the association counts 400 members spanning the New Jersey health care community, including hospitals, health care systems and post-acute providers who work together toward a goal to improve health for all state residents.

A veteran of NJBIZ Power lists and awards programs, Visconi is widely regarded for her leadership at BNBMC. Located in Paramus, safety-net facility Bergen New Bridge is the state’s largest hospital, with 1,070 beds. Its services include a 24/7 emergency, behavioral health, substance abuse treatment and long-term care.

In the announcement, Visconi cited challenges today in health care, such as billions in federal Medicaid cuts and the loss of health insurance for an estimated 350,000 New Jersey residents. However, she also highlighted the steadfast commitment of Garden State hospitals.

Visconi noted these facilities care for approximately 15 million patients each year, supported by 162,000 skilled employees. Additionally, she highlighted their $7 billion invested into communities throughout the state.

“These incredible impacts are the product of our collective values, which are unshakeable – quality, affordable, accessible, equitable care for all New Jerseyans,” said Visconi. “We are the backbone, a constant in our communities. Now more than ever, we need to be that safe harbor.”

NJHA President and CEO Cathy Bennett also reinforced that commitment in her remarks.

“In every hospital, every facility, on every shift, the winds around us are swirling — reimbursement pressures, workforce strain, new technology reshaping how we work, political flashpoints and visible unrest in our communities,” she said. “Yet for our field, a few fundamental truths do not change: We care for all who come through our doors, and we create opportunities for all who choose to serve.

“That is who we are as New Jersey’s system of health care, and that is not negotiable.”

Bennett also outlined key priorities for NJHA and its members “in these urgent times” including:

• Keeping essential services open in every community
• Strengthening the health care workforce
• Stabilizing health care financing so hospitals can keep their doors open and invest in the future
• Closing the equity gap to ensure culturally responsive care
• And preserving public trust