New Brunswick, NJ – Dr. Matthew McDonald recently accepted an expanded role at Children’s Specialized Hospital (CSH) and RWJBarnabas Health (RWJBH). As Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer, Dr. McDonald will maintain all of his current responsibilities while taking on a more extensive role within CSH and the RWJBH system. Dr. McDonald will help guide the execution of pediatric strategy including program development at CSH and ambulatory growth for RWJBH Children’s Services. Additionally, he will continue to lead the RWJBH Pediatric Quality Council overseeing quality and safety for RWJBH Children’s Services and will chair the RWJBH Delegated Credentialing Board (CRPN) through the next stages of success.
Dr. McDonald joined the Children’s Specialized team in 2014 as Section Chief of Special Needs Pediatrics and, while in this role, he guided a multidisciplinary team to develop the first National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) certified medical home in New Jersey for children with special health care needs and medical complexities. In addition, he led the expansion of CSH’s second Special Needs Primary Care location in Hamilton, NJ. In 2016, Dr. McDonald became the President of the Medical Staff at CSH and in October 2017 he was appointed Associate Vice President and Medical Director of Outpatient Services before taking on the role of Vice President and Chief Medical Officer in June 2018. Dr. McDonald currently serves on the Board of Trustees for the CSH Foundation and the Special Olympics of New Jersey.
“Dr. McDonald’s professional mission has always been to improve the care delivered to all patients through access, education, innovation and partnerships,” said Warren E. Moore, FACHE, President & CEO, Children’s Specialized Hospital, and Senior Vice President, Children’s Services, RWJBarnabas Health. “Through his vision, he has led many projects that serve to redefine and expand how medical professionals treat children with special health care needs. His vast experience in pediatrics and his steadfast dedication to the patients and families we serve will help push us forward as the preeminent provider of pediatric health care in New Jersey.”
Prior to joining CSH, Dr. McDonald received his medical degree from Temple University School of Medicine and then completed his residency and Chief Residency at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children in Philadelphia. While at St. Christopher’s he held the position of Attending Hospitalist and Special Needs Pediatrician within the Center for Children with Special Healthcare Needs.
In his free time, Dr. McDonald enjoys spending time with his wife and two daughters, especially volunteering as coach for their local youth soccer and basketball clubs.
About Children’s Specialized Hospital
Children’s Specialized Hospital, an RWJBarnabas Health facility, is the nation’s leading provider of inpatient and outpatient care for children from birth to 21 years of age facing special health challenges – from chronic illnesses and complex physical disabilities like brain and spinal cord injuries, to a full scope of developmental, behavioral, and mental health concerns. At 14 different New Jersey locations, our pediatric specialists partner with families to make our many innovative therapies and medical treatments more personalized and effective so each child can reach their full potential. For more information, visit rwjbh.org/childrensspecialized.
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. For more information, visit rwjbh.org.
CONTACT: Megan Granozio
732-258-7042
MGranozio@childrens-specialized.org