Valley Health names research, strategy leaders. The basics: * Guillem named medical director for research * Will oversee Valley Health research, clinical trials * Byrne appointed chief strategy officer, VP of marketing * Valley Medical Group CMO also promoted to VP for Valley This month, Valley Health System welcomed two new leaders: its first medical director for research and a chief strategy officer and vice president of marketing. The network also elevated the chief medical officer for Valley Medical Group to an expanded role. Medical director for research, The Valley Hospital. Dr. José Guillem most recently served as associate director of surgical research at the Penn State Cancer Institute and chief of colon and rectal surgery at Milton S. Hershey Medical Center in Pennsylvania. Guillem has also held positions at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York and at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In his new position with Valley Health, Guillem will oversee all research initiatives offered through the network. He will also be a practicing surgeon at Valley's Center for Digestive Health, specializing in the treatment of colon and rectal cancer. A network representative shared with NJBIZ that the medical director for research is a new position for Valley Health. Research hub. "What excites me most about this opportunity is the ability to help cultivate innovation, mentorship, and interdisciplinary collaboration in a way that meaningfully benefits both the institution and the community it serves," Guillem said in a June 3 hiring announcement. Guillem received his medical degree and his master's degree in public health with a concentration in epidemiology from Yale University School of Medicine. He also received his master's degree in business administration from the Heller School for Social Policy and Management of Brandeis University. The Okonite Research Center in Paramus serves as Valley's home for research and clinical trials. Research and clinical trials are also conducted at The Valley Hospital and The Audrey and Robert Luckow Pavilion, home to Valley-Mount Sinai Comprehensive Cancer Care. Chief strategy officer and vice president of marketing. Valley Health announced June 15 that Deirdre Byrne will succeed Megan Fraser in the position, effective July 6. Fraser will retire from Valley Health after a more than 30-year career with the network. Byrne joins Valley from Hackensack Meridian Health, where she served as vice president of network strategy. She also held leadership roles at Montefiore Health System, Children's Health Fund and the National Conference of State Legislatures. In her new role, Byrne will oversee Valley Health System's strategic planning and development, government relations, marketing and communications, and community health and community benefit initiatives. She will also serve as the strategic planning advisor to the board of trustees. In a LinkedIn post, Byrne said she is "incredibly grateful for my time with the Hackensack Meridian Health Strategy team... While I will miss my HMH team, I look forward to this next chapter." Welcome to Valley. "We are delighted to welcome Deirdre to Valley," said Dr. Robert Brenner, president and CEO of Valley Health System. "Under her leadership, we look forward to the expansion of our medical programs and services; continued communication with our patients, community, and employees; and ongoing health education initiatives for the community." Brenner also thanked Fraser for her "outstanding leadership and longstanding dedication to all those we care for ..." Byrne, who said she looked forward "to contributing to Valley's future," earned a master's in public administration in health policy and management from New York University's Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service and a bachelor's international political economics from Fordham University. CMO promotion. On June 23, Valley Health announced the promotion of Dr. Puneeta Sharma to vice president for Valley Health System and chief medical officer for Valley Medical Group. Sharma joined Valley Health in 2017 as director of palliative care. She was later named chair of medical specialties for Valley Medical Group, and in 2022 was appointed chief medical officer for Valley Medical Group. In her expanded role, Sharma will oversee the operations, physicians and staff of all of Valley Medical Group's specialties. She will also oversee Valley's Office of Academic Affairs. Brenner noted Sharma's elevation "reflects the growing scope of her contributions across the health system and her addition to Valley's executive leadership team." Sharma earned a master's degree in healthcare management at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. She earned her medical degree from Karnataka Medical College.

Meet a doc: meet Dr. Rashi Kochhar of Hackensack Meridian Children's Health! Jun 23, 2026 Hackensack Meridian Children's Health is delighted to welcome Dr. Rashi Kochhar, a triple board-certified physician in Pediatrics, Pediatric Pulmonology, and Pediatric Sleep Medicine. She is passionate about connecting with patients and their families, ensuring they feel heard, and delivering care that is grounded in evidence-based medicine. Dr. Kochhar specializes in caring for children with a variety of pulmonary disorders, including asthma, chronic cough, chronic lung disease, interstitial lung disease (ILD), cystic fibrosis, primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD), bronchiectasis, and recurrent pneumonias, as well as exercise-induced asthma. Additionally, she has a particular clinical interest in pediatric sleep disorders, such as obstructive sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome, insomnia, hypersomnia, hypoventilation, and narcolepsy. Her goal is to improve the quality of life for children with respiratory and sleep-related disorders. Dr. Kochhar believes in a partnership with families to provide compassionate, knowledgeable care. She strives to connect with each child, listen carefully to all concerns, and use her specialized medical knowledge to guide your family on a healthy journey. Dr. Kochhar Offers Appointments or Care For: Sleep Medicine | Obstructive Sleep Apnea | Restless Sleep/ Restless Legs | Insomnia | Narcolepsy Pulmonology | Asthma | Bronchopulmonary dysplasia | Chronic Cough | Tracheostomy tube and ventilator-dependent | Complex airway and lung disease For an appointment or to ask any questions: CONTACT 19 Davis Avenue, 5th floor Neptune City, NJ 07753 Phone: 732- 776-4268 Ocean County Moms asked Dr. Kochhar! What do patients say about you? Patients say that I am very attentive and really take the time to explain everything in detail. They say I am knowledgeable and thorough; kids love me and feel very comfortable around me. What is the #1 tip you always share with patient families? Don't ignore a snoring child! Sleep matters a LOT in kids! How do you spend time with your friends and family for fun? Ocean County Moms love family brunches, hikes, and family swim time in the summer! Ocean County Moms also enjoy traveling and exploring scenic destinations with its friends! What do you enjoy most about New Jersey? Ocean County Moms love how family-friendly it is. There are always so many outdoor activities in and around the area, especially during the summer! Ocean County Moms love the greenery and space that New Jersey offers. 1945 NJ-33 Neptune, NJ 07753 732-897-3640

Hackensack Meridian Health and its hospitals recognized by Practice Greenhealth for Environmental Excellence. Published: June 19, 2026 Hackensack Meridian Health, New Jersey's largest and most comprehensive health network, is proud to announce that the health network and its hospitals have been recognized by Practice Greenhealth, the nation's leading sustainable health care organization. Since 2002, the Environmental Excellence Awards have recognized the nation's premier programs for environmental performance in the health care sector, highlighting top-performing U.S. hospitals for their commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship. "Hackensack Meridian Health is honored to once again be recognized as a leader in environmental stewardship within the health care industry," said Robert C. Garrett, FACHE, chief executive officer of Hackensack Meridian Health. "These recognitions reflect the dedication of our world-class team members, who continuously advance initiatives that promote a healthier environment while helping us deliver high-quality care to the patients and communities we serve." Hackensack Meridian Health was recognized across several Circles of Excellence award categories and had four hospitals receive a Top 25 Environmental Excellence Award, Practice Greenhealth's highest honor, including: * Hackensack Meridian Bayshore Medical Center * Hackensack Meridian Hackensack University Medical Center * Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center * Hackensack Meridian Ocean University Medical Center Hackensack University Medical Center has received the prestigious Top 25 Environmental Excellence Award a nation-leading 12 times, underscoring the network's focus on sustainability and environmental protection. "Environmental sustainability is an essential part of delivering healthier outcomes for our patients, communities and future generations," said Kyle Tafuri, vice president of sustainability, Hackensack Meridian Health. "Hackensack Meridian Health has made meaningful progress over the years in reducing our environmental footprint, strengthening resource conservation efforts and integrating sustainable practices across our network. We are proud of our achievements and we remain focused on identifying new opportunities to reduce our environmental impact while supporting our mission to transform health care." The Circles of Excellence Awards celebrate hospitals that have not only earned an award for all-around sustainability achievement, but have also been identified as the top-scoring programs for each sustainability category, and the Greenhealth Leader Award recognizes outstanding hospitals from within the Partner for Change applicants. Hackensack Meridian Health hospitals received the following Practice Greenhealth awards: Chemicals Circle: * Hackensack Meridian Bayshore Medical Center * Hackensack Meridian Hackensack University Medical Center * Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center * Hackensack Meridian JFK University Medical Center * Hackensack Meridian Ocean University Medical Center * Hackensack Meridian Old Bridge Medical Center * Hackensack Meridian Palisades Medical Center * Hackensack Meridian Raritan Bay Medical Center * Hackensack Meridian Riverview Medical Center * Hackensack Meridian Southern Ocean Medical Center Energy Circle: * Hackensack Meridian JFK University Medical Center * Hackensack Meridian Riverview Medical Center Governance and Leadership Circle Honorees: * Hackensack Meridian Bayshore Medical Center * Hackensack Meridian Hackensack University Medical Center * Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center * Hackensack Meridian JFK University Medical Center * Hackensack Meridian Ocean University Medical Center * Hackensack Meridian Old Bridge Medical Center * Hackensack Meridian Palisades Medical Center * Hackensack Meridian Raritan Bay Medical Center * Hackensack Meridian Riverview Medical Center * Hackensack Meridian Southern Ocean Medical Center Sustainable Procurement Circle: * Hackensack Meridian Hackensack University Medical Center Greenhealth Leader Award Honorees: * Hackensack Meridian JFK University Medical Center * Hackensack Meridian Old Bridge Medical Center * Hackensack Meridian Palisades Medical Center * Hackensack Meridian Raritan Bay Medical Center * Hackensack Meridian Riverview Medical Center * Hackensack Meridian Southern Ocean Medical Center