A New Chapter for University Hospital
In Newark, University Hospital stands as a cornerstone of care for a diverse, often underserved community. On May 3, 2025, Dr. Kaitlan Baston, New Jersey’s Health Commissioner, will take the helm as interim CEO, succeeding Ed Jimenez, who is departing to lead Main Line Health in Philadelphia. The transition marks a pivotal moment for the hospital, which grapples with the complexities of urban healthcare delivery while striving to uphold its mission of innovation and service.
Baston’s appointment, announced by Governor Philip Murphy, reflects confidence in her ability to steer the institution through change. With a career rooted in serving marginalized populations, she brings a deep well of clinical and operational experience. Yet, her interim role arrives at a time when urban hospitals face mounting pressures, from workforce shortages to financial strain, raising questions about how her leadership will shape the hospital’s path forward.
The move underscores broader trends in healthcare leadership, where transitions demand not just continuity but adaptability. University Hospital, a public academic medical center, serves as a safety net for Newark’s residents, delivering specialized care like neonatal intensive care and substance use disorder treatment. Its challenges mirror those of urban hospitals nationwide, making Baston’s tenure a focal point for observers of healthcare equity and management.
As the hospital’s board, led by Chair Tanya Freeman, begins the search for a permanent CEO, Baston’s interim leadership offers a chance to stabilize and innovate. Her track record in addiction medicine and integrated care could guide the hospital toward new models of service, but the road ahead is fraught with systemic hurdles that demand strategic vision and collaboration.
A Leader With Deep Roots in Care
Dr. Baston’s career spans continents and disciplines, from public health projects in Rwanda to trauma hospitals in the Dominican Republic. A dual-boarded physician in family and addiction medicine, she has focused on underserved communities, providing family planning services in Seattle and founding the Center for Healing at Cooper University Health Care. There, she pioneered integrated care for pain, addiction, and behavioral health, blending clinical practice with education and research.
Since 2023, as New Jersey’s Health Commissioner, Baston has led efforts to strengthen public health infrastructure, navigating workforce shortages and pushing for equitable care access. Her supporters, including Governor Murphy, praise her ability to bridge clinical expertise with operational leadership, citing her work in expanding addiction treatment as a model for University Hospital’s future.
Yet, some stakeholders wonder how her interim role will balance immediate needs with long-term goals. Urban hospitals like University Hospital face a physician shortage projected to reach 94,700 by next year, alongside nursing deficits and financial pressures from high uncompensated care costs. Baston’s experience in resource-constrained settings may prove vital, but her temporary tenure could limit sweeping reforms.
The Urban Healthcare Challenge
University Hospital operates in a high-stakes environment, serving a population with complex health needs. Medicaid and uninsured patients dominate its payer mix, with reimbursements covering just 88 cents per dollar spent on Medicaid care. This financial strain, coupled with rising costs and slow reimbursement growth, mirrors challenges faced by urban hospitals nationwide, intensified by the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, which drove burnout and absenteeism among staff.
Health equity remains a pressing concern. Disparities in access and outcomes persist for Newark’s communities of color and low-income residents, driven by barriers like geographic isolation and systemic inequities. Recent federal programs, including new billing codes for social determinants of health screening, aim to address these gaps, but execution lags. Baston’s background in community-focused care could align with these efforts, potentially expanding preventive services or telehealth.
The integration of addiction medicine, a field Baston has championed, offers a bright spot. Programs combining primary care, behavioral health, and addiction treatment have cut acute care use by 33% and medical costs by 53% in some settings. University Hospital’s role as a hub for substance use disorder treatment could benefit from her expertise, though scaling such programs requires overcoming workforce shortages and regulatory hurdles.
Succession Planning in Focus
Baston’s appointment highlights the growing importance of succession planning in healthcare. With nearly 70% of executives eyeing retirement within a decade, hospitals are rethinking how to ensure smooth transitions. Only 45% of health systems have formal CEO succession plans, despite 80% of leaders viewing it as a board priority. University Hospital’s board is now tasked with finding a permanent leader, a process that could shape the institution’s strategic direction.
Historically, hospital CEO transitions leaned on internal promotions, but today’s leaders often blend clinical, administrative, and academic expertise. Baston’s interim role buys time for a thorough search, but the high turnover in healthcare leadership—20% for CEOs in recent years—underscores the urgency of building robust talent pipelines. Her ability to maintain stability while the board deliberates will be closely watched.
Looking Ahead
As Dr. Baston steps into her interim role, University Hospital stands at a crossroads. Her leadership offers a chance to build on existing strengths, like its commitment to specialized care and community service, while tackling systemic challenges. The hospital’s master plan, which includes infrastructure upgrades and expanded access, could gain momentum under her guidance, but success hinges on navigating financial constraints and workforce gaps.
For Newark’s residents, the stakes are tangible. University Hospital is more than a medical center; it’s a lifeline for those with few options. Baston’s tenure, however brief, will test the balance between immediate stability and visionary change, setting the stage for the next chapter in the hospital’s mission to serve and innovate.