Listen to this articleThe basics:
- RWJBarnabas Health leadership changes aim to strengthen hospital operations, patient care, educational initiatives across NJ
- Dr. Abraham Houng named chief academic officer at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center
- Houng continues as medical director of CBMC burn center; brings extensive academic, clinical experience
- Aaron Harjart appointed president and CEO of Community Medical Center
RWJBarnabas Health is making leadership changes at two of its 14 hospitals across New Jersey.
In a Dec. 22 press release, the West Orange-based health system announced Dr. Abraham Houng as chief academic officer at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center. Houng will also continue as medical director of the Livingston facility’s burn center, according to RWJ.
Houng rejoined CBMC in February. Before that, he served on the faculty at Weill Cornell Medical College and New York Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center. Additionally, he held the title of fellowship director and associate program director for surgery training programs.
Houng’s background includes serving as an attending surgeon and associate program director for CBMC and then Saint Barnabas Medical Center.
He earned a bachelor degree from Columbia University, master’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania and medical degree from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. Houng completed his residency in general surgery at Saint Barnabas Medical Center. He went on to do his fellowship in burn surgery and surgical critical care at Massachusetts General Hospital as well as Harvard Medical School.
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CBMC President and CEO Richard Davis commented, “Dr. Houng has continued to distinguish himself as an outstanding and respected surgeon, inspiring excellence and advancing the delivery of burn care in the region. In the additional role of Chief Academic Officer, he will focus on initiatives that reflect our commitment to excellence in medical education, clinical training and scholarly achievement.”
Houng said he is “looking forward to partnering with all of our faculty and trainees, along with our colleagues at Rutgers Medical School, as we work together to advance the academic mission of Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center.”
According to RWJ, Houng expects to implement “a new set of academic initiatives” designed to strengthen residency training and expand educational innovation. As part of that, he plans on partnering with the nursing department to implement new educational opportunities and “elevate the medical center’s research enterprise,” the network said.
Community Medical Center
RWJ also recently appointed Aaron Harjart as president and chief executive officer for Community Medical Center.
Harjart has served as chief operating officer at the 592-bed teaching hospital in Toms River since 2023. He begins the new role Jan. 1, 2026, when Patrick Ahearn retires.
A search will take place to fill the COO position at CMC, the health system said.
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Harjart joined RWJ in 2022 as southern region senior vice president for service line and practice integration. After coming on board, he supported the operation and integration of RWJ’s six southern region hospitals. Additionally, he worked on collaboration with Rutgers to develop the system’s faculty practice in the region.
Since his promotion to COO, Harjart has spearheaded efforts to improve hospital communications; reduce readmission rates; and grow key service lines, such as gastroenterology, oncology and maternal care, RWJ said.
He has also focused on advancing initiatives related to physician recruitment and retention, the system said.
Before RWJ, Harjart spent five years as chief operating officer at Bergen New Bridge Medical Center in Paramus.
He received a master’s degree from Amberton University and a bachelor degree from Hardin-Simmons University. Additionally, Harjart is a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives since 2021.
Bill Arnold, executive vice president and president of RWJ’s southern shore region and CEO of Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, praised Harjart. Arnold described him as “a respected leader with a deep understanding of hospital operations, care delivery, and our commitment to the patients we serve.”
“His proven ability to work collaboratively with physicians, nurses, and care teams to strengthen performance and keep patients at the center of every decision will help CMC continue to transform healthcare in Ocean County,” Arnold stated.
Harjart said he is honored to lead CMC and “work alongside our dedicated physicians, nurses, and staff.”
“Together, we will continue to strengthen access to care, enhance the patient experience, and serve our community with excellence,” he said.
