Valley Health System Executive and Leadership Team

Karen Pederson, the Valley Health Plans President & Chief Executive Officer at Valley Health System, directs the overarching strategic vision for the nonprofit healthcare network. Overseeing the integration of cancer, pediatric, and women's healthcare services, the President & Chief Executive Officer ensures alignment between clinical outcomes and organizational sustainability. This leadership role involves navigating complex regulatory environments while expanding access to high-quality care across the New Jersey region. By fostering partnerships with regional stakeholders, Karen Pederson drives the long-term growth of the health plans and clinical service lines. The President & Chief Executive Officer maintains a rigorous focus on operational efficiency, ensuring that the mission of providing accessible, nonprofit medical services remains the primary objective. Through consistent evaluation of market trends, the President & Chief Executive Officer secures the future stability of the entire system.

Cristian Cormier, the Chief Financial Officer at Valley Health System, manages the fiscal health and capital allocation strategies for the organization. Overseeing the budgetary requirements for pediatric and women's healthcare departments, the Chief Financial Officer ensures that financial resources support the nonprofit mission effectively. This role involves analyzing revenue cycles and optimizing cost structures to maintain the viability of hospital operations. By implementing robust financial controls, Cristian Cormier protects the assets of the system while enabling investment in advanced medical technology. The Chief Financial Officer collaborates with the executive team to forecast economic impacts on regional healthcare delivery. Through precise financial modeling and risk management, the Chief Financial Officer sustains the fiscal integrity of the institution, allowing for the continued provision of essential medical services to the community.

Richard Keenan, the Senior Vice President & Amp. Chief Financial Officer at Valley Health System, architects the long-term financial planning and investment strategies for the healthcare network. Overseeing the capital expenditure programs for cancer treatment facilities, the Senior Vice President & Amp. Chief Financial Officer ensures that infrastructure investments align with clinical growth targets. This leadership position requires constant monitoring of liquidity and debt management to support the nonprofit status of the organization. By streamlining financial reporting processes, Richard Keenan enhances transparency and accountability across all departments. The Senior Vice President & Amp. Chief Financial Officer works closely with the Board to evaluate the financial feasibility of new service expansions. Through strategic oversight of the balance sheet, the Senior Vice President & Amp. Chief Financial Officer guarantees the necessary funding to maintain high standards of patient care.

Christopher Tascione, the Senior Vice President, Finance & Chief Financial Officer at Valley Health System, manages the treasury functions and financial compliance for the healthcare network. Overseeing the audit processes and financial planning for specialized medical units, the Senior Vice President, Finance & Chief Financial Officer ensures that all fiscal activities adhere to nonprofit regulations. This role involves optimizing cash flow management to support the daily operations of the hospitals. By implementing rigorous financial oversight, Christopher Tascione mitigates operational risks and enhances the overall financial performance of the system. The Senior Vice President, Finance & Chief Financial Officer partners with department heads to align departmental budgets with the broader strategic goals of the organization. Through disciplined financial management, the Senior Vice President, Finance & Chief Financial Officer secures the resources needed to sustain high-quality patient care.

Connor Emmert, the Chief Operating Officer, Quality & Perf Improvement at Valley Health System, directs the daily clinical operations and performance optimization initiatives. Overseeing the implementation of quality assurance protocols, the Chief Operating Officer, Quality & Perf Improvement ensures that patient care delivery meets the highest safety standards. This role involves streamlining hospital workflows to reduce wait times and improve clinical outcomes. By analyzing performance metrics, Connor Emmert identifies areas for process improvement across the pediatric and women's health departments. The Chief Operating Officer, Quality & Perf Improvement collaborates with medical staff to foster a culture of continuous improvement and excellence. Through the application of lean management principles, the Chief Operating Officer, Quality & Perf Improvement enhances the operational efficiency of the system, ensuring that every patient receives timely and effective medical treatment.

James Ketterhagen, the Quality Chief & Medical Officer & President & Valley Enterprise Physician at Valley Health System, architects the clinical quality frameworks and physician leadership strategies. Overseeing the enterprise-wide medical initiatives, the Quality Chief & Medical Officer & President & Valley Enterprise Physician ensures that clinical excellence remains the core focus of the organization. This role involves leading physician committees to standardize care pathways and improve patient satisfaction. By evaluating clinical performance data, James Ketterhagen identifies opportunities to enhance the quality of medical services provided. The Quality Chief & Medical Officer & President & Valley Enterprise Physician works with the executive team to align medical strategy with the nonprofit mission. Through the direct oversight of clinical quality and physician engagement, the Quality Chief & Medical Officer & President & Valley Enterprise Physician ensures that the system delivers superior healthcare outcomes.

Eric Carey, the Vice President & Chief Information Officer at Valley Health System, directs the digital transformation and cybersecurity initiatives for the entire healthcare network. Overseeing the implementation of electronic health records and data analytics platforms, the Vice President & Chief Information Officer ensures that clinical teams possess the tools required for precise patient care. This role involves securing sensitive medical information while facilitating seamless communication between departments. By modernizing the technological infrastructure, Eric Carey improves operational efficiency and patient data accessibility. The Vice President & Chief Information Officer collaborates with clinical leaders to integrate new diagnostic software into daily workflows. Through the deployment of scalable IT solutions, the Vice President & Chief Information Officer supports the mission of providing advanced healthcare services, ensuring that the digital environment remains resilient against evolving cyber threats.

Joseph Yallowitz, the Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer at Valley Health System, architects the brand strategy and community engagement programs for the organization. Overseeing the promotion of cancer, pediatric, and women's healthcare services, the Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer ensures that the public understands the value of the nonprofit mission. This role involves developing outreach campaigns that connect the system with diverse patient populations across the region. By analyzing patient feedback and market demand, Joseph Yallowitz refines the messaging to increase service utilization. The Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer coordinates with clinical departments to highlight specialized medical expertise and new service offerings. Through data-driven marketing initiatives, the Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer strengthens the reputation of the system, ensuring that the community remains informed about the comprehensive care options available.

Mary Eaton, the Administrative Coordinator & Chief Marketing Officer at Valley Health System, manages the internal communications and external public relations strategies. Overseeing the coordination of administrative functions for marketing projects, the Administrative Coordinator & Chief Marketing Officer ensures that promotional efforts align with the operational capacity of the clinical teams. This role involves managing the digital presence and community outreach events that highlight the nonprofit healthcare services. By facilitating collaboration between administrative staff and marketing personnel, Mary Eaton improves the consistency of the brand message. The Administrative Coordinator & Chief Marketing Officer monitors the effectiveness of communication channels to ensure that patients receive accurate information about available services. Through the integration of administrative support and marketing strategy, the Administrative Coordinator & Chief Marketing Officer drives awareness and engagement across the regional patient base.

Puneeta Sharma, the Chief Medical Officer at Valley Health System, directs the clinical standards and medical staff performance across the healthcare network. Overseeing the quality of care provided in cancer and pediatric units, the Chief Medical Officer ensures that all medical practices align with evidence-based protocols. This role involves recruiting top-tier medical talent and fostering professional development among the physician staff. By implementing clinical governance frameworks, Puneeta Sharma maintains the highest levels of patient safety and medical excellence. The Chief Medical Officer collaborates with the executive team to integrate new medical technologies into the clinical environment. Through the continuous monitoring of patient outcomes, the Chief Medical Officer drives improvements in care delivery, ensuring that the system remains a leader in providing specialized medical services to the community.