RWJBarnabas Health, one of the largest and most comprehensive health care systems in New Jersey, has recently appointed Frank Ghinassi as the senior vice president of its behavioral health and addictions service line. This is a significant move for both RWJBarnabas Health and its affiliated institution, Rutgers University, where Ghinassi will continue to lead Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care (UBHC) as president and CEO. The appointment marks a new chapter in Ghinassi’s distinguished career in behavioral health, a field that has become a growing focus in healthcare systems across the country.
West Orange-based RWJBarnabas Health operates an extensive network of independent health care providers throughout New Jersey, and it’s known for its commitment to improving the quality of care for its patients. Behavioral health and addiction services have become increasingly important in today’s healthcare landscape, and Ghinassi’s appointment highlights the system’s strategic efforts to strengthen its behavioral health services, improve operational excellence, and create more streamlined leadership across its organizations.
Ghinassi’s Background and Leadership Role
Frank Ghinassi brings a wealth of experience to his new role, having served as president and CEO of Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care (UBHC) since 2016. Under his leadership, UBHC has grown and evolved into a robust provider of mental health and addiction treatment, providing services to thousands of individuals in New Jersey. His expertise in managing complex behavioral health systems, combined with his leadership experience at one of the nation’s leading universities, positions him as a strong leader to guide the behavioral health and addictions service line at RWJBarnabas Health.
The synergy between RWJBarnabas Health and Rutgers University—both of which are dedicated to improving health care in New Jersey—creates an ideal environment for Ghinassi to succeed in his new role. As he takes on this dual leadership responsibility, Ghinassi will be responsible for overseeing the direction and operational performance of both RWJBarnabas Health’s behavioral health services and Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care. His ability to lead both organizations will streamline their operations, create efficiencies, and allow for a more cohesive and integrated approach to behavioral health services in New Jersey.
Barry Ostrowsky, the president and CEO of RWJBarnabas Health, praised Ghinassi’s appointment, emphasizing the value of having unified leadership for the behavioral health and addictions service line. In a statement, Ostrowsky noted, “The behavioral health and addictions service line for RWJBarnabas Health and Rutgers University will benefit from singular executive leadership, streamlining our strategic direction and operational excellence across both organizations.”
This centralization of leadership is essential for providing high-quality behavioral health care services at scale, as it helps to align the strategic priorities of both RWJBarnabas Health and Rutgers University. Ghinassi’s ability to lead these two organizations will ensure that the behavioral health and addictions services offered to New Jersey residents are more coordinated, efficient, and effective.
The Growing Importance of Behavioral Health
Behavioral health has become an increasingly important focus within healthcare in recent years, especially as the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the profound impact of mental health issues on individuals and communities. From depression and anxiety to substance use disorders, the need for accessible and effective behavioral health services has never been more urgent. Unfortunately, many individuals still face significant barriers to accessing mental health and addiction treatment, whether due to stigma, lack of resources, or gaps in the healthcare system.
In response to this growing demand, RWJBarnabas Health is making behavioral health a central component of its overall healthcare strategy. Ghinassi’s appointment as senior vice president of the behavioral health and addictions service line reflects the organization’s commitment to expanding its services in this critical area. By combining leadership across both RWJBarnabas Health and Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care, Ghinassi will play a pivotal role in addressing the behavioral health needs of New Jersey’s residents, ensuring that they have access to the care and support they need to achieve and maintain better mental health.
The focus on behavioral health also aligns with broader trends in the healthcare industry, where there is an increasing recognition of the need to treat mental health with the same urgency and importance as physical health. The integration of behavioral health services into the larger healthcare system is essential for improving outcomes and reducing the long-term impact of untreated mental health and addiction issues. Ghinassi’s leadership will help ensure that RWJBarnabas Health continues to be at the forefront of this transformation, providing comprehensive and compassionate care to all patients.
Expanding Collaboration Between RWJBarnabas Health and Rutgers University
The close collaboration between RWJBarnabas Health and Rutgers University has been an essential factor in enhancing the quality of healthcare in New Jersey. The two organizations share a deep commitment to improving patient care and advancing medical research, making their partnership a powerful tool in addressing the state’s healthcare challenges.
As Brian Strom, executive vice president of health affairs at Rutgers University and chancellor of the school’s biomedical and health sciences department, explained, Ghinassi’s new leadership role at RWJBarnabas Health represents another example of the synergies between the two organizations. He stated, “We are delighted to have him as our leader for University Behavioral Health Care, and his new role at RWJBarnabas Health is another example of the synergies between our two organizations and our ability to bring a new level of care to the people of New Jersey, to the nation and to the world.”
The collaboration between Rutgers and RWJBarnabas Health will only continue to strengthen as Ghinassi works to streamline operations and ensure that both organizations are aligned in their goals. The combination of Rutgers University’s academic expertise in healthcare and RWJBarnabas Health’s broad clinical network creates a unique opportunity to enhance the behavioral health and addiction services available in New Jersey, providing a model that could inspire other healthcare systems across the country.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Behavioral Health Care in New Jersey
With Frank Ghinassi at the helm of the behavioral health and addictions service line at RWJBarnabas Health, the future looks bright for mental health and addiction care in New Jersey. His appointment signals a renewed focus on behavioral health as an integral part of the state’s healthcare system. By leveraging his leadership experience and fostering stronger collaboration between RWJBarnabas Health and Rutgers University, Ghinassi is well-positioned to improve access to care, expand treatment options, and enhance the overall quality of behavioral health services.
The ongoing challenges of mental health and addiction in New Jersey—and across the nation—require innovative solutions and strong leadership. With Ghinassi’s dual leadership role, RWJBarnabas Health and Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care are poised to lead the charge in advancing behavioral health care and setting a new standard for care that is more integrated, accessible, and effective.
As behavioral health continues to be a critical focus in healthcare, Ghinassi’s leadership will undoubtedly play a key role in shaping the future of care for individuals with mental health and addiction challenges in New Jersey. His work will not only improve the lives of countless patients but also serve as a model for how health systems can innovate and collaborate to meet the evolving needs of the population.
