2025 Spring Congress

4.5 in-person Education Credits

Location: Bergen New Bridge Medical Center

Date: June, 3rd 2025 10 AM - 4 PM EST

Agenda

• Panel 1 - 10:15 - 11:45 am - Strategic Marketing: Winning the Battle for Markets and Share

• Panel 2 - 12:30 - 2 pm - Navigating Key Legislative Issues Facing Healthcare Leaders

• Panel 3 - 2:15 - 3:45 pm - Equity of Care

Strategic Marketing: Winning the Battle for Markets and Share

Panelists:

Karteek Bhavsar, MHA, FACHE - COO, Valley Health System

Nilesh Jariwala, MD - AdvoCare Wayne Pediatrics

Helene Wolk - EVP of Operations, COO - Englewood Health

Moderator: Marion Troise, MHA - Executive Dir. of Advancement, Bergen New Bridge Medical Center

Welcome, Karteek Bhavsar!

Karteek has been with Valley Health System in Bergen County for 27 years and provides operational leadership for the system. His background is in strategic planning, business development, and operations management. As COO, he oversees initiatives including margin enhancement and our commitment to being a High Reliability Organization (HRO), as well as Patient Care Services, Ancillary Services, Information Systems, Facilities, and Valley’s organizational and operational performance.

Karteek has a B.A. from Rutgers University and a Masters in Health Services Administration from Cornell University. He is also a Fellow of the American College of Health Care Executives and is a Graduate of the Comprehensive Patient Safety Leadership Fellowship and a Certified Professional in Patient Safety. Mr. Bhavsar currently lives in Parsippany, NJ with his wife, and has two children out of college.

Welcome, Dr. Nilesh Jariwala!

Dr. Jariwala is a board-certified pediatrician with over three decades of experience delivering compassionate, patient-centered care. After earning a medical degree from Government Medical College in Aurangabad, India, in 1981, he continued postgraduate training in the United States, completing a pediatric residency at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in 1989. Early in his U.S. medical career, he served patients at the Family Healthcare Center in Wayne General Hospital and as an ER physician at JFK Medical Center in Edison, NJ.

In 1991, Dr. Jariwala founded a thriving private pediatric practice in Wayne, New Jersey, where he continues to care for generations of families with a focus on education, accessibility, and empathy. He is an active advocate for early literacy through the Reach Out and Read program and mentors high school students pursuing the Congressional Award. Passionate about supporting future healthcare professionals, he regularly offers clinical shadowing opportunities to international medical graduates, nursing, and physician assistant students. Dr. Jariwala is known for his warm bedside manner, commitment to health education, and dedication to fostering the next generation of medical professionals.

Welcome, Helene Wolk!

Ms. Wolk is an accomplished healthcare executive with deep expertise in strategic planning, operations, and healthcare services. She currently serves at Englewood, where her leadership has been instrumental in the successful launch of the Epic electronic health record system, the revitalization of the hospital’s laboratory and breast care center, and the development of two full-service outpatient imaging centers.

Her career spans significant roles in both the provider and financial sectors, including serving as Senior Analyst and Vice President at Sanford C. Bernstein, where she led equity research on healthcare services companies. She previously held leadership roles at Mount Sinai Medical Center as Director of Strategic Planning and Business Development, and at APM Management Consultants/CSC Healthcare as a Senior Associate.

Recognized for her influence and leadership, she has been named to ROI-NJ's Top 50 Women in Business for three consecutive years: 2023, 2024, and 2025. She holds an MBA in Health Care Management and Finance from The Wharton School and a BA in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania.

Welcome, Marion Troise!

Marion Troise Rusk is a seasoned healthcare executive with deep expertise in business development, strategy, and marketing. She has consistently positioned healthcare institutions for long-term relevance by strengthening community connections, engaging stakeholders, and driving sustainable growth.

Known for her thoughtful, outcomes-driven approach, Marion helps organizations translate strategic goals into measurable impact. She brings a proven ability to elevate brand identity, cultivate high-value partnerships, and secure philanthropic investment that advances mission and expands reach.

Before joining Bergen New Bridge Medical Center, Marion served as Vice President of Business Development at Pleasantdale Healthcare, leading growth strategy for a multi-specialty ambulatory surgery center. She also directed the rebranding and advancement efforts for a nonprofit foundation supporting Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Earlier in her career, she worked in the outpatient physical therapy and rehabilitation space, strengthening referral networks, enhancing outreach, and contributing to program visibility in a competitive regional market.

Marion holds a Master of Healthcare Administration from Seton Hall University and was selected to attend the Executive Program with the American College of Healthcare Executives, completing advanced training at Cleveland Clinic, University of Chicago Medicine, and Houston Methodist Hospital. She was recently invited to contribute to the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education, supporting the advancement of graduate education in the field.

She is also a recreational student pilot who enjoys aviation as both a personal challenge and creative outlet—and finds inspiration daily in the company of her husband and daughter.

Navigating Key Legislative Issues Facing Healthcare Leaders

Panelists:

Adam Beder - Vice President for Government Affairs, Hackensack Meridian Health

Neil Eicher, MD - Vice President of Policy, New Jersey Hospital Association

Moderator: Russ Molloy, J.D. - Senior Health Fellow, Rutgers University

Welcome, Adam Beder!

Adam Beder is the Vice President of Government Relations for Hackensack Meridian Health, New Jersey’s largest health system headquartered in Edison, NJ. Adam has over twenty years of experience in government and health policy, with organization such as the New Jersey General Assembly, the New Jersey Hospital Association, and JFK Health. Mr. Beder received his bachelor's degree from William Paterson University in Political Science, and a M.B.A. from Rider University.

Welcome, Neil Eicher!

NEIL EICHER serves as the Vice President of Policy at the New Jersey Hospital Association. NJHA is a leading advocate for the healthcare provider community, counting among its members all 70 of the state’s acute care hospitals and hundreds of additional post-acute members including nursing homes, home health, hospice and others. Neil supports NJHA’s federal and state advocacy by developing positions on key policy issues on behalf of that membership. 

Neil first came aboard NJHA as a Deputy Director in 2008. Prior to coming to NJHA, Neil served as the Chief of Staff to state Senator Ellen Karcher where he researched and drafted healthcare legislation. Neil received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Politics and Russian from Juniata College in Huntingdon, P.A. and his Master of Arts degree in Public Policy from Monmouth University. He currently serves on the Advisory Board of the New Leaders Council of New Jersey, a leadership association that trains and promotes progressive entrepreneurs.

Welcome, Russ Molloy!

Russ Molloy, J.D., is a Senior Health Fellow at the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University and heads a consulting firm that focuses on designing strategies to impact public policy. Russ is also President of Hospital Straight Talk (www.hospitalstraighttalk.com), an organization addressing critical federal and state healthcare issues. He is also an advisor to Strategic Health Care, a leading health policy and lobbying shop based in Washington, D.C.

Russ served as Senior Vice President, Government Relations for Hackensack Meridian Health (HMH) for almost two decades. A registered federal and state lobbyist, he led all federal, state, and local legislative strategies for the health network. He specializes in pursuing collaborative strategies that link advocacy goals with external interest groups and associations. He was a founding member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Health Care Advisory Board, the American Hospital Association’s Multi-Hospital Advisory Committee, and the Board of Directors of the Trauma Center Association of America.

Russ is currently chair of the Integrated Health Care Coalition, comprised of more than forty of the nation’s leading integrated not-for-profit healthcare systems, and he served as a founding member and long-time chair of the Academic Health Centers of the Mid-Atlantic.

Russ served as chair of the Government Relations Leadership Council of the American Medical Group Association, and as a member of the Government Relations Steering Committee of the Association of American Medical Colleges (emeritus), and Premier Health Alliance’s Government Affairs Network Policy Committee. He previously served on the Government Relations Committee of the Children’s Hospital Association, as well as numerous committees of the New Jersey Hospital Association and other state organizations.

Prior to joining Meridian Health in 2001 (which later merged into HMH), Molloy led the government affairs office for the University of Pennsylvania Health System, one of the nation’s largest integrated health systems. Russ was recruited to the University of Pennsylvania Health System following three years as the head of government relations for the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. UMDNJ was the nation's largest public health sciences university with eight schools and five campuses statewide before its merger with Rutgers.

A graduate of Rutgers University, Molloy obtained his law degree from Seton Hall University School of Law. He is admitted to the New Jersey Bar and has practiced extensively in the civil arena. A past chair of the New Jersey State Bar Association’s Health and Hospital Law Section, he received the section’s Distinguished Service Award. He also received the Bar Association’s Distinguished Legislative Service Award in 2023 and the Circle of Excellence Award from the Trauma Center Association of America in 2024.

Molloy has served as policy advisor to two Governors and as assistant counsel to the New Jersey State Senate.

Equity of Care

Panelists:

Chris Awwad, DO - Medical Director for LGBTQIA+ Health and Wellness Center, Bergen New Bridge

Bonnie Reyna, MPH, MSED, DrPH(c) - Executive Director, Health Equity, AHS

Anita Ramsetty, MD - Director of Health Equity, Englewood Health

Moderator: Dr. Lou Ruvolo, DBA(ABD), MBA - Professor, Saint Peter's University

Welcome, Chris Awwad!

Christopher J. Awwad, DO, is a family medicine physician and the medical director for the LGBTQ+ Health and Wellness Center at Bergen New Bridge Medical Center. He received his medical degree from Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine — Bradenton in 2013 and completed family medicine residency training at the Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell Health, where he served as chief resident.

Dr. Awwad specializes in comprehensive care for the LGBTQ+ community, including gender-affirming care, HIV prevention, sexual health, and primary care. Through his work in medical education and community outreach, he advocates for equitable access to high-quality, patient-centered care and the maintenance of overall health and wellness.

Welcome, Bonnie Reyna!

Bonnie Reyna is the Executive Director of Health Equity for the Atlantic Health System, where she leads the system's Health Equity Institute and oversees its equity initiatives reporting to Dr. Suja Mathew, AHS Executive Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer. In this role, Bonnie is instrumental in aligning health equity goals across the organization, driving actionable data collection, and facilitating equitable policies and research. She also works closely with hospital leadership to integrate health equity throughout the system and fosters community partnerships to further these efforts.

Previously, Bonnie served as the Director of Health Equity at Quest Diagnostics, where she pioneered the first health equity strategy in the laboratory industry. Her leadership allowed Quest to expand equity collaborations and forge cross-sector partnerships nationwide, with targeted efforts in regions including Passaic County, NJ, Puerto Rico, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Baltimore, Boston, and Miami. Bonnie’s career spans multiple sectors, including healthcare, education, and social services. As Senior Director at Westchester Medical Center Health Network (WMC Health) in New York, she spearheaded initiatives focused on health equity, cultural competency, health literacy, youth career development, workforce training, and community engagement, in addition to managing COVID-19 clinical-community outreach programs. Before WMC Health, she was the Regional Manager for the Training and Education Fund of 1199-SEIU, overseeing workforce development across the Hudson Valley and Capital Region.

Her early career in social and community health services included roles as a Mandated Child Protection Case Manager, Maternal Health Program Manager, and Women’s Health Medical Assistant. Bonnie’s diverse experiences in public health, education, and social services have fueled her commitment to health equity and community well-being.

Bonnie holds a Bachelor’s in Sociology from SUNY Purchase, a Master of Public Health from New York Medical College, and a Master’s in Education from Long Island University. She is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Public Health (DrPH) at New York Medical College. Outside of her professional work, Bonnie enjoys spending quality time with her family and celebrating the milestones of her children.

Welcome, Anita Ramsetty!

Dr. Anita Ramsetty serves as Director of Health Equity at Englewood Health, where she leads strategic initiatives to reduce health disparities, address social determinants of health, and promote equitable access to care. A board-certified endocrinologist, she specializes in preventive health, nutrition, and diabetes care, with a deep commitment to underserved populations.

Previously Associate Dean for Community Engagement at the Medical University of South Carolina, Dr. Ramsetty has been widely recognized for her leadership in medical education, student service learning, and community health. She earned her MD from the University of Florida and completed her fellowship in endocrinology at Stanford University. Dr. Ramsetty continues to be a tireless advocate for community health and equity, blending academic rigor with compassionate leadership.

Welcome, Lou Ruvolo!

A dynamic and versatile educator and executive with over four decades of experience bridging academia and industry. Currently he serves as an Adjunct Professor at both Saint Peter's University and Felician University, where he teaches courses in business, healthcare management, ethics, and strategic marketing. Former Director of Graduate Business Programs at Saint Peter's, where he led curriculum development, faculty coordination, and student engagement initiatives for seven years. Previously, he served as Executive Director of the Lenke Family Innovation Lab at Felician University, fostering innovation through collaborations with entrepreneurs, experts, and students in a think-tank setting.

His industry background includes executive leadership roles such as Chief Marketing Officer at Atlantic Software Technologies, and senior positions at Hewlett-Packard Financial Services and IBM, where he led global operations, business process transformation, and technology implementation projects.

He brings deep expertise in instructional design, leadership training, enterprise risk, and strategic planning, with a consistent focus on critical thinking and effective communication. Committed to lifelong learning and innovation, he actively integrates real-world insights into the classroom to prepare the next generation of leaders.

He serves as the Chair of the Board of Commissions for the business specialty accreditor IACBE and Vice Chair of the Education Committee for ACHE-NJ. He is a co-founder of Senior-4-Seniors, an advocacy training group that is focused on amplifying senior concerns in NJ