Esteemed Pediatric Urologist and Health Administrator to Lead Pediatric Care Standards and Strategic Initiatives
West Orange, NJ, July 8, 2024 — RWJBarnabas Health, the largest, most comprehensive academic health care system in New Jersey, has appointed Dr. Fernando (Ferd) Ferrer, MD, FACS, FAAP as Chief Pediatric Officer for RWJBarnabas Health effective immediately. In his new role, Dr. Ferrer will serve as the Chief Pediatric Physician for the RWJBarnabas Health system.
In partnership with Bill Faverzani, Senior Vice President of Children’s Health, and in collaboration with the medical and administrative leadership of the health system, its affiliates and Rutgers Health, Dr. Ferrer will develop pediatric care standards and models for the health system, encompassing all Children’s Health providers, services, and facilities.
He will also provide clinical leadership to effectively implement the Children’s Health strategic plan.
“I am pleased to announce the appointment of Fernando Ferrer, MD, as Chief Pediatric Officer,” said Mark E. Manigan, President and Chief Executive Officer for RWJBarnabas Health. “As a seasoned leader in children’s health administration, strategy and development with national following in his specialty of pediatric urology, Dr. Ferrer will provide the clinical leadership essential to establish the pediatric care standards and care model for RWJBarnabas Health.”
Dr. Ferrer most recently served as Senior Vice President of Children’s Services for the Mount Sinai Health System and Chief Operating Officer of Mount Sinai Kravis Children’s Hospital in New York, where he led the reorganization and integration of children’s services at Mount Sinai under one umbrella. He was also Professor in the Department of Urology and Pediatrics at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Dr. Ferrer graduated from Seton Hall University with a Bachelor of Science degree and received his Medical Degree from Georgetown University School of Medicine. He completed his Urologic Surgical training at the University of Connecticut’s School of Medicine and his Pediatric Urology and Research Fellowship at the Brady Urologic Institute at Johns Hopkins.
Dr. Ferrer has been a National Institutes of Health (NIH) funded investigator in research focused on cellular mechanisms of children’s cancer and renal injury. He has been published widely in prestigious medical journals and books and has presented at a variety of lectures and visiting professorships. Dr. Ferrer previously served in the United States Navy as Diving Medical Officer, participating in Operation Desert Storm while on active service.
About RWJBarnabas Health
RWJBarnabas Health is the largest, most comprehensive academic health care system in New Jersey, with a service area covering eight counties with five million people. The system includes twelve acute care hospitals – Clara Maass Medical Center in Belleville, Community Medical Center in Toms River, Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, 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 Hamilton in Hamilton, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Rahway in Rahway and Trinitas Regional Medical Center in Elizabeth, three acute care children’s hospitals, Children’s Specialized Hospital with a network of outpatient pediatric rehabilitation 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 two accountable care organizations.
RWJBarnabas Health is among New Jersey’s largest private employers – with more than 38,000 employees and 9,000 physicians– and routinely captures national awards for outstanding quality and safety. RWJBarnabas Health launched an affiliation with Rutgers University to create New Jersey’s largest academic health care system. The collaboration aligns RWJBarnabas Health 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 Care.
About RWJBH Children’s Health Network
In partnership with Rutgers Health, the RWJBH Children’s Health Network (Children’s Health Network) provides advanced research, teaching, social impact initiatives and outstanding care to improve the health and well-being of every child in every community. The Children’s Health Network includes four comprehensive acute care Children’s Hospitals/Centers, a pediatric rehabilitation and long-term care hospital, nearly 900 primary and specialty care providers, and the full array of tertiary and quaternary physical and mental health services for children.
Contact: Carrie Cristello
Carrie.Cristello@rwjbh.org