Knecht Recognized for His Leadership, Influence, and Contributions to RWJBarnabas Health Communications Initiatives during the COVID-19 Pandemic
West Orange, NJ, December 14, 2020 – Michael Knecht, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, RWJBarnabas Health, has been named a finalist in the 2021 PRWeek Awards in the Outstanding Marketer category for his work disseminating critical health and safety information to hospital system employees as well as New Jersey residents during the COVID-19 pandemic. PRWeek Awards are one of the communications industry’s highest accolades, celebrating excellence and leadership in the marketing and communications field across many different categories. Outstanding Marketer is bestowed upon communications and marketing executives who play a vital role in integrating PR into the marketing strategy for their organization.
Mr. Knecht is responsible for leading the strategic marketing, internal communications, digital/interactive communications, media relations and selected corporate partnership efforts of RWJBarnabas Health, the largest, most comprehensive academic health care system in New Jersey, with a service area covering nine counties with five million people. Prior to the 2016 merger of Barnabas Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Health System (RWJHS), which created RWJBarnabas Health, Mr. Knecht served for seven years as Corporate Vice President, Communications and Community Relations for the Robert Wood Johnson Health System. There, he led the marketing, communications, community relations and health outreach functions for the academic medical center.
New Jersey’s health providers were some of the first in the nation to be inundated with COVID-19 patients. When the COVID-19 pandemic struck New Jersey, Mr. Knecht was uniquely equipped to lead communications for the academic health care system. With a strong foundation in operations as well, he was able to bring key departments together to synthesize the steady stream of information about the virus. This enabled more efficient and effective communications both internally and externally.
“PR Week’s recognition of Michael as a finalist in the Outstanding Marketer category is a well-deserved testament to his passion for the well-being of his New Jersey neighbors and his agility in the face of one of the greatest challenges this country’s medical system has ever seen,” said Barry. H. Ostrowsky, President and Chief Executive Officer of RWJBarnabas Health. “As frontline staff was working nonstop to fight the virus, Mr. Knecht and his team were working as intensely to ensure that internally, crucial communication was taking place, and externally, New Jersey’s communities were armed with the tools and knowledge they needed to stay well, determine whether they would need medical care, or gain news of a loved one in a hospital bed.”
Mr. Knecht received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and a Master of Business Administration degree with a concentration in Health Administration from Temple University.
ABOUT RWJBARNABAS HEALTH
RWJBarnabas Health is the largest, most comprehensive academic health care system in New Jersey, with a service area covering nine counties with five million people. The system includes eleven acute care hospitals – Clara Maass Medical Center in Belleville, Community Medical Center in Toms River, Jersey City Medical Center in Jersey City, Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch, Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus in Lakewood, Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in Newark, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset in Somerville, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital at Hamilton in Hamilton, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Rahway in Rahway and Saint Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, three acute care children’s hospitals and a leading pediatric rehabilitation hospital with a network of outpatient centers, a freestanding 100-bed behavioral health center, two trauma centers, a satellite emergency department, ambulatory care centers, geriatric centers, the state’s largest behavioral health network, comprehensive home care and hospice programs, fitness and wellness centers, retail pharmacy services, affiliated medical groups, multi-site imaging centers and an accountable care organization.
RWJBH is New Jersey’s largest private employer – with more than 35,000 employees, 9,000 physicians and 1,000 residents and interns – and routinely captures national awards for outstanding quality and safety. RWJBH and Rutgers University have partnered to create New Jersey’s largest academic health care system. The collaboration aligns RWJBH with Rutgers’ education, research and clinical activities, including those at the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey - the state's only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center - and Rutgers University Behavioral Health.