A Cardiovascular Leader Bringing Advanced Care Close to Home
Committed to Heart Health Across New Jersey
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women. Risk factors—such as high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, poor diet, lack of exercise, and high cholesterol—are common and often go unaddressed.
RWJBarnabas Health is dedicated to improving cardiovascular health throughout New Jersey by continually investing in medical expertise, technology, facilities, and leadership.
Conor Barrett, MD, MBA, the newly appointed Chief Clinical Officer and Senior Vice President of Heart and Vascular Services at RWJBarnabas Health, shares his vision for advancing heart care statewide.
Why RWJBarnabas Health?
“For decades, RWJBarnabas Health has delivered advanced heart and vascular care while pioneering breakthrough techniques,” says Dr. Barrett.
Recognized as one of the top heart programs in the nation, RWJBarnabas Health offers:
- A truly integrated network of 12 hospitals and about 100 ambulatory locations.
- The most comprehensive cardiac technology in New Jersey — including more than 30 cardiac catheterization labs, ambulatory diagnostic testing, cardiac CT, and cardiac PET/CT.
- One of the nation’s largest heart transplant programs (and the only one in New Jersey), with more than 1,450 transplants completed at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH) and Newark Beth Israel Medical Center (NBIMC).
- Four award-winning cardiac surgical centers: Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center, RWJUH, NBIMC, and Jersey City Medical Center.
As New Jersey’s largest provider of charity care and Medicaid heart services, RWJBarnabas Health is also a vital safety net for patients in need.
Leading the Way in Advanced Procedures
RWJBarnabas Health is the state’s largest collective structural heart program, having performed over 5,000 minimally invasive procedures for valve repair and structural heart abnormalities.
The system is also a regional leader in stroke-risk reduction for patients with atrial fibrillation and is continuously advancing care for heart failure patients.
Building the Future of Cardiac Care
In partnership with Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and RWJUH, RWJBarnabas Health forms New Jersey’s most comprehensive academic health system.
This partnership enables:
- Extensive training programs for tomorrow’s heart specialists, including more than 75 fellows in residency and fellowship programs.
- Breakthrough research, with RWJBarnabas Health conducting more cardiovascular research than any other system in the state.
Harnessing Technology for Better Outcomes
RWJBarnabas Health is pioneering advancements in artificial intelligence, imaging, and digital health through collaborations with Rutgers and SciTech.
These efforts unite cardiovascular scientists, engineers, imaging experts, and trainees to develop and implement innovations—supported by nationally recognized investigators ranked among the top 1% of U.S. physicians.
Real-World Impact of Technology
One major success has been the implementation of the Epic electronic medical record system. Since the system-wide rollout in October 2024, enhancements have improved:
- Patient scheduling and experience
- Hospital readmission reduction
- Critical safety protocols
In critical care settings, automated alerts to providers’ handheld devices have helped prevent complications before they arise.
Keeping Advanced Care Local
RWJBarnabas Health’s broad cardiac network and unified medical record system ensure patients can:
- See the right heart specialist at the right time
- Receive advanced care at a location most convenient for them
Driving Innovation Through Research
With funding from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, the National Science Foundation, and industry partners, RWJBarnabas Health has led transformative studies, including:
- Wrist-worn sensors for early heart attack detection
- Pocket ultrasound devices to reduce heart failure hospitalizations
- AI-driven ECG models for diagnosing structural heart disease
The program also offers patients access to groundbreaking clinical trials not widely available elsewhere.
The Benefits of a Comprehensive Program
Operating the state’s largest advanced heart failure program, the only heart transplant program, and more than 30 cardiac catheterization labs gives RWJBarnabas Health a unique advantage.
Innovations are available not only at major academic centers but also throughout the statewide network, ensuring patients receive the highest level of care wherever they live.
Plan for Your Heart Health Today
No one plans for heart disease—but everyone should have a plan.
Connect with an RWJBarnabas Health heart and vascular specialist:
📞 888.724.7123
