Hackensack Meridian Health, New Jersey’s largest health network, said July 21 it appointed Dr. Joel Klein as its new chief digital information officer. Klein, known for his leadership in technology, will join the network on Sept. 15, and report to Robert C. Garrett, chief executive officer of Hackensack Meridian Health.
In this role, Klein will spearhead Hackensack Meridian Health’s digital transformation, overseeing all technology infrastructure, applications, and cybersecurity. He will be responsible for advancing the network’s position as a national leader in healthcare innovation by driving efficiency and new capabilities across all operations.
Klein’s leadership will be critical in overseeing major enterprise initiatives, including the enhancement of the network’s electronic health-record system and the implementation of a new ERP system to streamline operations. Furthermore, Joel will lead the network’s artificial intelligence (AI) strategy, from ideation to implementation, to revolutionize patient care and outcomes.
“Joel’s unique background as both a physician and visionary technology executive makes him the perfect leader to advance our mission to transform healthcare,” said Garrett. “He understands that technology in health care isn’t just about systems and software; it’s about creating better, safer, and more accessible experiences for our patients and empowering our clinical teams with the best possible tools. With his leadership, we will accelerate our AI and digital innovation work, ensuring Hackensack Meridian Health remains at the forefront of medicine.”
Klein has more than 15 years of experience leading technology solutions for major health systems. He joins Hackensack Meridian Health from the University of Maryland Medical System, a 14-hospital academic medical system, where he served as senior vice president and chief information officer. At Maryland, he successfully led the implementation of both Epic and a new ERP system and also oversaw the system’s AI governance and innovation center.
Klein said, “Hackensack Meridian Health has a bold vision for the future of health care, and I am incredibly honored to be a part of it. My vision is to use AI to augment our clinicians’ expertise, not replace it. We can leverage predictive analytics to identify at-risk patients sooner, use AI to streamline administrative tasks so nurses can spend more time with patients, and develop diagnostic tools that lead to faster, more accurate diagnoses.”