Murphy’s health commissioner leaving to run University Hospital

New Jersey Commissioner of Health Kaitlan Baston is leaving Gov. Phil Murphy’s cabinet to become the interim CEO of University Hospital in Newark.

When cabinet vacancies occur this late in a governor’s final year in office, traditionally someone from within the department will take over to obviate the need for an extended learning curve.

Baston, a physician, has led the state Department of Health since July 2023; she replaced Judith Persichilli, who retired after four years in the cabinet.

She will hold the post only temporarily as University Hospital conducts a search for a permanent CEO.  Baston said she will not apply for the job.

Murphy said Baston has “dedicated her life to delivering quality health care to those most in need.”

“She has done a tremendous job leading the New Jersey Department of Health,” said Murphy. “I am confident that Dr. Baston will be an exceptional interim CEO of University Hospital.”

Baston replaces Ed Jimenez, who has led the hospital since January 2022.

She served as the division head of Addiction Medicine and Medical Director of the Center for Healing at Cooper University Health Care prior to joining the Murphy administration.

Persichilli’s predecessor, Shereef Elnahal, also traded his cabinet post for the University Hospital presidency; he left in 2022 to become Under Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Health in the Biden administration.