Our Spring 2026 newsletter brings messages from chapter leadership, congratulations to our newest Fellows, a look at the season's events, and a warm welcome to our many new members.
President's Message
As we welcome the spring season, I'm reminded of the energy and renewal it represents—qualities that perfectly reflect the work being done across our ACHENJ community. This year has already brought meaningful opportunities to connect, learn, and grow as healthcare leaders navigating rapid changes and complex challenges.
Our recent programs have showcased the power of collaboration and shared purpose. From our panel discussions on women's leadership to our mentorship and networking sessions, it's inspiring to see so many members actively engaging to strengthen our profession and support one another. Your commitment to continuous learning and leadership excellence remains the heart of our chapter.
Looking ahead, the ACHENJ Board is focused on expanding educational offerings, enhancing member engagement, and advancing our strategic initiatives. We are especially excited about our upcoming Spring Congress and our summer networking event—both opportunities to celebrate achievements, build connections, and envision the future together.
Thank you for your continued involvement and leadership. Whether you are a long-time member or new to the chapter, your participation makes a difference. Let's continue to embrace innovation, empathy, and collaboration as we shape the future of healthcare in New Jersey.
Warm Regards, Derrick Hutton, MBA, MHA President, ACHENJ
Regent's Message
Hello everyone—
My term as ACHE Regent officially began on Saturday, February 28, 2026, during the ACHE Council of Regents Meeting in Houston, Texas. It is both an honor and a privilege to serve as your Regent for the American College of Healthcare Executives.
Participating in the Convocation Ceremony for our newest Fellows was especially meaningful. Surrounded by accomplished healthcare leaders whose dedication to advancing our profession was palpable, I was reminded of the profound impact leadership and service have on shaping the future of healthcare.
The experience also gave me an opportunity to reflect on my own career journey, and the invaluable role ACHE has played in every stage of my professional growth and development. The mentorship, education, and leadership opportunities provided through this organization have helped shape my perspective as a healthcare leader, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to now give back in this capacity.
Healthcare organizations today are navigating extraordinary complexity — advancing technology, workforce challenges, evolving patient expectations, and the imperative to deliver equitable, high-quality, and financially sustainable care. These realities call for leaders who are innovative, collaborative, resilient, and deeply committed to service.
As Regent, my commitment is to support and elevate healthcare leaders across our region by fostering professional growth, meaningful engagement, and strategic collaboration. Together, we have an opportunity not only to respond to change, but to lead it — advancing healthcare delivery models that are patient-centered, data-driven, and grounded in compassion and excellence.
I would like to sincerely thank Cèu Cirne-Neves, FACHE, for her dedicated service as Regent for our district over the past three years. Her commitment to ACHE, and especially to ACHE-NJ, has made a lasting impact, and I congratulate her on her continued dedication to developing future healthcare leaders through her work at both the national level and within ACHE-NJ committees. Her leadership and service continue to inspire and strengthen our profession.
There were six healthcare professionals from New Jersey inducted as new Fellows at ACHE's Ninety-Second Convocation. We also have 12 new fellows that recently joined this prestigious group and will be inducted at Congress in 2027. Please join me in congratulating each of these healthcare executives upon achieving a significant milestone in their careers. The new Fellows are as follows:
2025 New Fellows
- Paul C. Amajor, MD, FACHE
- Dorian Brito, FACHE
- Ramonita Jimenez, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, FACHE
- Sarah Mochar, FACHE
- Matthew R. Victorn, RN, FACHE
2026 New Fellows
- Rodney Addison, MPA, FACHE
- Kelly Chaknis, FACHE
- Vincent A. D'Orazio, II, FACHE
- Robin L. Giordano, MSN, RN, FACHE
- Rebeca Kane, FACHE
- Christina G. Manata, MPA, FACHE
- Dweep Mehta, MHA, FACHE
- Kenneth Sable, MD, FACHE
- Harshal Shah, MHA, MBA, FACHE
- Andrea J. Stuart, PA-C, FACHE
- Susan Tanzi Pfeifer, FACHE
- Jill Wing, FACHE
ACHE-NJ is in the great hands of President Derrick Hutton, MBA, President-Elect Funso Olufade PhD, MBA, and the members of the Board of Directors. I look forward to continuing to work with them to continue to advance the mission of ACHE in New Jersey.
ACHE continues to play a vital role in developing leaders who are prepared to meet the demands of an increasingly dynamic healthcare environment. I encourage every member to actively engage in the educational, networking, and leadership opportunities ACHE provides. Our next event is Spring Congress, being held on June 10, 2026 at Seton Hall University where our members could earn up to 4.5 In Person educational credits.
I look forward to communicating with you quarterly through this Regent message and feel free to contact me at any time as I welcome your feedback.
Thank you for your continued support and participation in the American College of Healthcare Executives.
Anamika R. Desai, MBA, FACHE Regent for New Jersey – Northern Anamika.Desai@HMHN.ORG
Upcoming Events
ACHENJ's Board of Directors works hard all year around to develop relevant educational and networking programs that align with the mission, vision, and values of ACHE to its members. We've had an amazing year so far, with some great programs still coming up. We hope to see you at our next event!
- May 28 — Virtual Webinar: Demystifying the Healthcare Job Search in the Age of AI
- June 10 — Spring Congress @ Seton Hall University
- June 24 — Virtual Webinar: Service Line Development
- September 9 — Golf Outing at Crystal Springs
- October 15 — Fall Congress @ Rutgers University
Look out for registration emails for the upcoming events!
2026 Past Events
- January 27 — Speed Networking @ Hackensack University Medical Center
- February 12 — Membership Town Hall
- February 27 — FACHE Advancement Webinar
- March 1 — Congress Networking Event, Houston, TX
- March 12 — Membership Networking @ The Laundromat (Morristown)
- March 25 — C-Suite Round Table @ RWJBH Eisenhower Conference Center
- March 31 — 2026 ACHENJ Mentorship Kick-Off!
- May 5 — FACHE Advancement Webinar
- May 14 — Membership Town Hall
- May 20 — Women's Leadership Event @ Jets Training Facility (AHS)
Sponsorship Opportunities Available!
Sponsors have long been an integral part of the success of ACHENJ. We want to ensure you have the opportunity to participate in our 2026 schedule of events.
ACHENJ invites companies providing services and products to the healthcare community to become sponsors. The various levels of sponsorship provide for calendar-year sponsorship, as well as specific sponsorship for individual meetings, each with varying benefits.
Sponsorship provides visibility — through the ACHENJ website and email communications as well as at in-person events — for a full calendar year.
Inquire today! Submit your request for a meeting at Sponsorship@achenj.com.
Welcome New ACHENJ Members!
A warm welcome to the newest members of our chapter:
- Donald Aquilano, BSHA, MBAHC
- Kimberly Gittines
- Albert C. Li
- Rahi Patel
- Jessica Montanez, RDMS
- Ysabel Perallon, MBA, BA
- Maidel De La Cruz, MPA
- Jonathan Jabradally
- Gerald Barbato, Jr.
- Nicole Martinez
- Hamed Shaik
- Devin M. Basak
- Lynly Jeanlouis
- Bridie Petry
- Minsy Thomas
- Rosemarie Daley
- Marie Foley-Danecker, DNP, RN, NE-BC
- Iheako Ike, PhD, MBA
- Kunal Parmar
- Emily J. Barbera
- Maria M. Ceron
- Karen Grezner
- Bernadette E. Okoye
- Chike Chimezie
- Chloe L. Easton
- Vashti C. Miller
- Deborah Zayas
- Maria Brilhante
- Sanchita Damania
- Sumita C. Minhas, MSHA, MBA
- Varun Putta, MPH
- John Ratta
- Aarya Sood
- Janet Torres
- Deanna Vaccaro, MBA
- Oluwasina Aborowa
- Rivka Atadja
- Joshua K. Fishman
- Elizabeth Guillaume
- Navin Patibandla, MHA
- Babatunde Y. Adegoke
- Leke A. Ayanbukola, DHA, MHA, BSc
- Bianca Daniels
- Bethyshann Dombrowski
- Autumn M. Hayes, BS, MHA
- Cadence Kelber
- Colleen G. Marchetta, DO
- Camila Munoz
- Jennifer N. Padilla
- Nandini Shah
- Jason Singleton
- Kelli Wingo
- Daniel Balboni, PsyD
- Cornelius C. Butler, MS
- Amaya D. Davidson
- Kristin Geonnotti
- Aishwarya Gnanaprakasam
- Rev. James E. Steward II, DMin
- Lateefa Leary
- Zachary Manna
- Allison Miller
- Taylor Montgomery
- Biola Ohiokpehai, MD, MBA
- John Paul N. Quinn, MPH
- Hannah M. Sheehan
- Stefanie Shore
Thank you for supporting ACHENJ and advancing healthcare leadership across New Jersey.