Kaitlan Baston to be nominated as next N.J. health commissioner

With New Jersey Health Commissioner Judy Persichilli departing state government next month, Gov. Phil Murphy announced today that he will nominate addiction medicine specialist Kaitlan Baston to replace her.

“The Department plays a vital role in protecting the public’s health, while also promoting healthy communities and constantly improving the quality of health care for all New Jerseyans,” Murphy said in a statement. “Dr. Baston’s breadth of experience as a physician, highlighted by her many leadership roles within the addiction and health care space, will make her an exceptional Commissioner at the Department of Health.”

Baston is currently the Division Head of Addiction Medicine at Cooper University Hospital in Camden. She is also the founder of the hospital’s Center for Healing, an addiction treatment center that offers both direct medical treatment as well as mental health services and housing and employment assistance.

Though she’s heavily tied to the New Jersey medical scene, Baston is currently a resident of Philadelphia, and plans to move to New Jersey. That means it’s unclear for now what state senators will have sway over her nomination via senatorial courtesy, which allows senators to block nominees from their home county and district.

Persichilli has served as the department’s commissioner since July 2019, meaning that most of her tenure has taken place during the Covid and post-Covid era. The pandemic gave her an unusual spotlight for a state cabinet member; her frequent appearances during Covid press conferences led Murphy to call her “the woman who needs no introduction.”

“Judy’s unwavering dedication to public service during one of the most challenging times in our nation’s history will always be remembered with sincere appreciation and gratitude,” Murphy said of Persichilli’s decision to retire. “Deeply grateful for her tireless efforts to advance the health and well-being of all New Jerseyans.”