Robert C. Garrett

Robert C. Garrett is the CEO of Hackensack Meridian Health, New Jersey’s largest health network with 18 hospitals, more than 500 patient care locations, 40,000 team members, 7,000 physicians and the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine.

Mr. Garrett has been recognized in Modern Healthcare’s 100 Most Influential People in Healthcare for the last four years and received the 2025 Ellis Island Medal of Honor, recognized by both Houses of Congress. Hackensack Meridian Health is a leader in clinical excellence with the network’s flagship hospital, Hackensack University Medical Center, ranked among the top 20 hospitals in the U.S. according to U.S. News & World Report. The network’s two children’s hospitals are ranked No. 1 in New Jersey for the last two years. The John Theurer Cancer Center is the top cancer center in the state and ranks among the top 50 nationwide, according to U.S. News & World Report.

Mr. Garrett was also the driving force in creating the Center for Discovering and Innovation, which has secured more than 700 grants and $500 million in research funding since its inception in 2019, as well as the Carrier Clinic, a behavioral health center for excellence and Hospital-at-Home, which provides acute-care in patient homes.

Mr. Garrett successfully led Hackensack Meridian through the COVID-19 pandemic and his vision led to the opening of the first new private medical school in New Jersey in 60 years. The network continues to expand access to care, innovate treatment, accelerate research and revolutionize behavioral healthcare. Under Mr. Garrett’s visionary leadership, the network added four hospitals and is investing more than $3 billion in expanding its ambulatory footprint, renovating existing hospital campuses and opening new care centers. In June 2026, it announced a potential partnership with Hunterdon Health in central New Jersey.

Mr. Garrett has led a strategy to strengthen culture by focusing on transparency, clear mission and core values, resulting in Hackensack Meridian being ranked No. 39 in Fortune 100 Best Places to Work For 2026 across all sectors in the U.S.

The network also became the first health system in the U.S. to receive the Joint Commission’s Health Care Equity Certification for its successful strategies to eliminate health disparities, address socioeconomic needs, and provide equitable care for the communities it proudly serves.

Mr. Garrett plays a major role in global healthcare and served as Chair of the World Economic Forum’s Health and Healthcare Governor’s Community. The network has also announced a strategic affiliation agreement with Apollo Hospitals, India’s largest private healthcare system to leverage the strengths of both organizations to enhance patient care, improve affordability and promote community health.

His leadership has garnered much professional praise and he is a seasoned commentator and has appeared on CBS’s Face the Nation, CNBC’s Squawk Box and many other outlets. He has authored several Op-Eds in national media and is scheduled to publish his first book this year with Dr. Jose Azar entitled Why Not: The Question that Drives Agile Leadership in Healthcare and Beyond.