Elizabeth, NJ – October 23, 2024 – Frank A. Ghinassi, PhD, ABPP, Senior Vice President of Behavioral Health Services at RWJBarnabas Health and President and CEO of Rutgers Health, University Behavioral Health Care is receiving the Extraordinary Leadership in Research, Policy, and Practice Award from The New Jersey Association of Mental Health and Addiction Agencies, Inc. (NJAMHAA). This prestigious honor recognizes Dr. Ghinassi’s exceptional contributions to the field of mental health and addiction services.
Dr. Ghinassi, a distinguished leader, directs the strategic development and operations of behavioral health and addictions, with the goal of fostering synergies between RWJBarnabas Health and Rutgers Health and enhancing high-quality, fully integrated, interdisciplinary academic care. His extensive experience and expertise have been instrumental in advancing the quality and accessibility of mental health and addiction treatment in New Jersey.
Throughout his career, Dr. Ghinassi has demonstrated a deep commitment to research, policy, and practice. His innovative approaches have led to significant improvements in patient care, education, and advocacy. His dedication to improving the lives of individuals affected by mental health and addiction issues has earned him widespread respect and admiration.
NJAMHAA presented this award at their annual fall conference on October 22, 2024, at the Double Tree by Hilton in Princeton, NJ. Dr. Ghinassi’s leadership and contributions have had a lasting impact on the field, and his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of mental health and addiction professionals.
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 41,000 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. For more information, visit www.RWJBH.org.
About Rutgers Health
As New Jersey’s academic health center, Rutgers Health takes the integrated approach of educating students, providing specialized and compassionate clinical care for its communities, and conducting innovative research, with the goal of life-changing health
for all. Rutgers Health is a “bench-to-bedside” institution, bringing discoveries in the lab
directly to patients across the state and around the world. It includes eight schools, a
behavioral health network, and 11 centers and institutes in Newark and New
Brunswick.