8th Annual ACHE-NJ Speed Networking

Date/Time: January 27, 2026 5:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Location: Hackensack University Medical Center, John Theurer Cancer Center Auditorium

An evening of meaningful connections and insightful conversations with a diverse group of executive-level healthcare leaders.

Ramonita Jimenez DNP, MPA, RN, NEA-BC, FACHE

Vice President, Chief Nursing Officer, Hackensack Meridian - Hackensack University Medical Center

Dr. Ramonita Jimenez is a highly accomplished and dynamic executive who oversees nursing operations at New Jersey's largest health system and medical center. As a forward-thinking, visionary, and innovative leader, she has adapted and transformed nursing practices to meet the challenges of a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape, making significant strides in aligning with the organization’s strategic priorities.

In her role as Chief Nursing Officer, Dr. Jimenez has accomplished numerous remarkable milestones. In 2023, Healthgrades recognized Hackensack University Medical Center (HUMC) with both the Patient Safety Excellence Award and the America's Best Hospital Award.

Under her leadership, HUMC achieved its seventh Magnet Redesignation in 2024, making it the third hospital in the nation to receive this prestigious honor. Additionally, in 2025, HUMC’s Emergency and Trauma Department (ETD) was honored with the BCEN National Certification Champion Award and became the first recipient of the Nursing Lotus Recognition Award from the Watson Caring Science Institute.

Most recently, she played a key role in leading HUMC and the Joseph M. Sanzari Children's Hospital to U.S. News & World Report recognition. HUMC was ranked as a Top 20 Hospital nationally, the #1 Hospital in both the New Jersey and New York Metro Area, and the #1 Hospital in New Jersey for three consecutive years. Additionally, ten specialties at HUMC ranked nationally in the Top 50. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Dr. Jimenez is actively involved in community service. She has also participated in medical missions and humanitarian work.

AWARDS/ACHIEVEMENTS

2025: National Certification Champion Award – Large Healthcare Facility category: Adult & Pediatric ETD

2024: Becker’s Hispanic and Latino Healthcare Leaders to Know, Recognition

2024: The Top 50 Women Chief Nursing Officers of 2024

2023: Administrators Award - Clinical, Administration, Research, Education, Support (C.A.R.E.S), Nominated

2023-2024: HMH Hall of Famer

2022: HUMC received the first-ever Nursing Lotus Recognition Award from the Watson Caring Science Institute

2018-2019: Monmouth University Marjorie K. Unterberg School of Nursing & Health Studies -

Preceptor Appreciation Award

2018: Organization of Nurse Leaders Impact Award - ONL NJ Finance Committee

2015: Divisional Leadership Award (Organization of Nurse Leaders)

2014: NJ Diva Award (Institute for Nursing)

2013: Tribute to Women & Industry Award (TWIN)

PROFESSIONAL INVOLVEMENT AND ACTIVITIES

2025: New Jersey- Organization of Nurse Leaders (NJ-ONL) - Elected President 2026-2027 term

2024: New Jersey- Organization of Nurse Leaders (NJ-ONL) - Elected Board Member 2025-2026 term

2021: American Organization Nursing Leaders (AONL) - Present Member

2019: American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) - Present Member

2016: New Jersey Organization of Nurse Leaders (NJ-ONL) Operating Committee - Present Member

2016: Felician University Advisory Board - Present Member

2014: Talent Plus Coach

Dr. Mohammed Qadri

VP of Strategy for Academics, Research, and Innovation, Hackensack Meridian Health

Dr. Mohammed Quadri is a leader with a diverse background in medicine, business, and healthcare administration. His key accomplishments include establishing the HMH Research Institute and unifying its operations, creating the Academics, Research and Innovation Executive Council, and developing strategic plans for the Health System and Research Institute.

Dr. Quadri also led the development of a virtual health strategy, created and implemented ambulatory expansion strategies, conducted feasibility studies for service line growth initiatives, implemented epidemiological strategies and developed a value-based care model, and published numerous research studies in clinical areas. With over 18 years of experience in healthcare leadership roles, Dr. Quadri is a passionate advocate for innovation in healthcare, committed to improving overall patient health and well-being by addressing unmet health needs in real time.

Rohit Mahajan

President & Chief Hospital Executive, Hackensack Meridian Health Carrier Clinic

Rohit Mahajan is the President and CHE at Hackensack Meridian Health Carrier Clinic since October 2025. He joined Hackensack Meridian Health in 2019, where he served as the VP of Business Development for the Central and North Region and Vice President of Operations for Palisades Medical Center.

He worked alongside senior executives, physician leaders, and potential partners to identify new JV opportunities, expansion of strategic service lines, and recruit physicians. As VP for Operations, he led a transformational change at HMH Palisades Medical Center that included renovation and expansion of a new Emergency Department, improving continuity of care through expansion of outpatient services, and enhancing patient experience and consumer perception. As President of HMH Carrier Clinic, he continues to build upon the foundation to be the trusted source of compassionate help for those seeking psychiatric treatment and rehabilitation for substance use.

Rohit obtained his MBA from the Kelley School of Business, Indiana University, and an M.S. from The Ohio State University.

Adalgisa "Dagy" Vergara

Vice President, Operations, Raritan Bay & Old Bridge Medical Centers, Hackensack Meridian Health

Dagy is a seasoned healthcare leader with nearly four decades of experience, having built her career from frontline roles to executive leadership across complex clinical and operational environments.

As a first-generation American born to Dominican parents, Dagy credits her upbringing with instilling the values of hard work, perseverance, and service principles that continue to shape her leadership philosophy. She is deeply people-centered in her approach to leadership and believes that showing up as the best version of yourself every day is essential to caring for others. That belief guides how she supports her teams and ensures compassionate, high-quality care for patients.

Dagy is currently completing her Doctorate in Business Administration with a focus on Leadership, reinforcing her commitment to lifelong learning and intentional leadership development. She encourages aspiring leaders to lead with authenticity, embrace their unique backgrounds, and recognize that taking care of people, both teams and patients, is at the heart of meaningful leadership.

Atiya Jaha-Rashidi MHA, RN

Chief Equity Office and VP of Community Relations RWJBH/Newark Beth Israel Medical Center & Children's Hospital NJ

Atiya Jaha-Rashidi, RN, MHA, is the Chief Equity Officer and Vice President of Community Relations at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and Children’s Hospital of New Jersey. With nearly 30 years of experience, she has led transformative, community-driven initiatives that advance health equity, strengthen partnerships, and expand access to care. Under her leadership, Newark Beth Israel Medical Center became the 1st in the RWJBarnabas health system to earn The Joint Commission Health Equity Certification, and one of fewer than 10 hospitals in the nation to receive this distinction. She oversees the hospital’s signature health outreach events including Ray Murphy Men’s Health Night, Women’s Health Day, and The Alma Beatty Health and Wellness Fair, which provide education, screenings, and resources to hundreds of Newark residents each year.

Beyond the hospital, Atiya has partnered with Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka’s Centers of Hope Initiative and served as program administrator for the Hire Newark Employment Ready Boot Camp, connecting residents to job opportunities and economic stability. She also serves in key leadership roles including President of National Association of Health Services Executives New Jersey Chapter (NAHSE NJ), 2nd Vice President of the Middlesex Regional Black Nurses Association, and Chair of the Board of Commissioners for the Mary Elizabeth Mahoney Health Center.

A proud Newark resident for more than 25 years, Atiya is committed to Reinvesting, Rebuilding, and Revitalizing Newark. She is a proud mother of three, a devoted member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, and the past-president and founding member of Sisters United Bike Club, through which she cycles across the nation to promote women’s health and wellness.

Brian Beck

Executive Director, Neuroscience Service Line, Atlantic Health System

Brian leads the strategic vision, operational performance, and growth of a comprehensive, system-wide neuroscience platform. In this role, Brian supports six hospitals and an extensive ambulatory network, partnering closely with physician leadership and executive stakeholders to advance access, quality, program development, research and innovation, and the overall patient and clinician experience across the full continuum of neuroscience care.

Brian brings over 20 years of healthcare leadership experience spanning strategy, operations, revenue cycle management, and stakeholder experience. Prior to joining Atlantic Health, he served as Assistant Vice President of Operations at Northwell Health, overseeing day-to-day operations across multiple New York City boroughs within large ambulatory networks. In this role, Brian focused on market development, improving access, and designing operational models that supported patients seamlessly through their journey from outpatient care to inpatient services, while driving measurable improvements in patient, physician, and employee experience.

Brian holds an MBA from SUNY Empire State University and a Post-Master’s Certificate in Healthcare Leadership. He is known for his ability to bridge strategic growth with operational execution through a physician- and patient-centered approach, delivering sustainable results for health systems and the communities they serve.

William F. Faverzani FACHE, MPA

Senior Vice President, Children's Health Service Line, RWJBarnabas Health

With almost thirty years of experience in health care administration, Bill Faverzani is a seasoned hospital executive who has developed leading pediatric programs in the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area and has served as a committed volunteer for community organizations such as the Scouting America. 

Bill earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in economics and history at Colgate University and his Master of Public Administration degree in health care finance and management at New York University’s Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service.  Bill is a fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives. 

Bill has led pediatric programs at several institutions.  His first position was at Schneider Children’s Hospital, now Cohen Children’s Medical Center of New York, part of Northwell Health, where he directed the development of a network of specialty care offices stretching from New York City to the east end of Long Island.  He also worked as pediatric administrator at Winthrop University Hospital, also on Long Island.  For ten years, Bill served as the corporate director of children’s services at Meridian Health, now Hackensack Meridian Health, and as director of K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital at Jersey Shore University Medical Center.  He led a number of inpatient and outpatient construction projects to expand capacity for the care of children and initiated dynamic programs such as the Pawsitive Action Team, children’s dental center and community hospital-based pediatric care centers. 

Bill later served as Vice President, Ambulatory Business Development at Northwell Health where he was responsible for developing ambulatory strategy and building the physician network within three New York City boroughs and areas north of New York City as well as for ten clinical service lines.  He served as the ambulatory business development lead for integration of newly acquired hospital and as a consultant within Northwell’s True North Healthcare Consulting subsidiary.  Bill returned to New Jersey and Hackensack Meridian Health as vice president for its children’s and OB/GYN care transformation services and as senior operations officer for its children’s enterprise which included the Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital at Hackensack University Medical Center and K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital.

In 2021 Bill joined RWJBarnabas Health, the largest, most comprehensive academic health care system in New Jersey where he serves as senior vice president for its Children’s Health service line.  The RWJBarnabas Health Children’s Health network is the largest pediatric healthcare provider in New Jersey and, in partnership with Rutgers Health, it provides opportunities for advanced pediatric research, undergraduate and graduate medical education, social impact initiatives and outstanding clinical care that is designed to improve the health and well-being of every child in every community.

For over thirty-five years Bill has served Scouting America (formerly Boy Scouts of America) in numerous leadership positions including cubmaster, scoutmaster and member of the executive board of is Monmouth Council.  He has been recognized with Scouting’s Silver Beaver award for Scouters of exceptional character who have provided distinguished service.  In 2010 and 2013, Bill presided as operations manager for more than 600 medical service professionals at the National Scout Jamboree, a ten-day quadrennial gathering of more than 40,000 scouts and scouters.   

Rebecca Kane  

Assistant Vice President, Cardiology, Newark Beth Israel Medical Center

With more than two decades of clinical and executive leadership experience, Rebeca serves as the Assistant Vice President of Cardiology, Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant Services at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center. Rebeca has dedicated her career to advancing complex cardiovascular care, strengthening multidisciplinary teams, and improving outcomes for some of the most vulnerable patient populations.

Rebeca began her nursing career after graduating from Rutgers University in 1998. In 2003, she earned a Master’s degree as an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner from New York University, expanding her clinical expertise in managing high-acuity and critically ill patients. Her pursuit of innovation and system-level impact continued with the completion of a Doctor in Nursing Practice degree from Drexel University in 2018.

Throughout her career, Rebeca has been recognized for building high-performing programs, fostering collaborative cultures, and driving quality, safety, and operational performance across cardiology and transplant services. Her leadership blends deep clinical insight with a forward-thinking approach to program development, patient experience, and organizational growth.

Timothy Hicks

Chief Operating Officer, Overlook Medical Center

Timothy E. Hicks is a seasoned healthcare executive with more than 20 years of experience leading operational transformation, strategic growth, and cultural excellence across major health systems. As Chief Operating Officer at Overlook Medical Center—part of the Atlantic Health System—Tim leads hospital operations and strategic initiatives that advance clinical performance, patient experience, and organizational culture.

Before joining Overlook, Tim served as Vice President of Operations at Staten Island University Hospital, part of Northwell Health. There, he provided executive oversight for a multi-campus healthcare network, driving improvements in operations, financial outcomes, and patient flow. Under his leadership, the hospital opened a new $150 million Women and Newborn Center and achieved record gains in market share across key service lines.

Tim’s leadership extends beyond operations. He has been a champion for workforce engagement, wellness, and community partnership—sponsoring recognition programs, developing innovative fundraising strategies, and launching the “Restaurant Rescue” initiative to support local businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tim holds an MBA in Health Care Administration from Wagner College and a BS in Nutrition from SUNY Oneonta, and he is a graduate of Cornell University’s Executive Leadership Development Program. A Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, Tim serves on several healthcare and community boards and is dedicated to building high-performing, mission-driven teams that deliver exceptional care and community impact.

Lanie Dixon MBA, FACHE, CPXP

Executive Director of Patient Experience, Atlantic Health

Lanie (pronounced Lonnie) is a nationally recognized patient experience executive known for applying engineering discipline to transform how healthcare systems deliver compassionate, high-quality care. She currently serves as Executive Director of Patient Experience at Atlantic Health, where she leads systemwide strategies, standards, and initiatives to elevate patient and family experience and strengthen loyalty across hospitals and ambulatory settings.

A former Vice President of Patient Experience at Essentia Health, Lanie has a long track record of advancing HCAHPS performance, building accountable service cultures, and integrating Lean, Six Sigma, and human-centered design to drive measurable improvement. Her approach blends data-driven rigor with emotional intelligence, making her a sought-after speaker on the intersection of process engineering, equity, and the patient experience.

Lanie is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, a Certified Patient Experience Professional, and a proud University of Michigan alumna.

Sandro Altherr

Vice President of Physician and Clinical Professional Recruitment, RWJBarnabas Health

Sandro Altherr is Vice President of Physician and Clinical Professional Recruitment for RWJBarnabas Health, the largest academic healthcare system in New Jersey. As an experienced executive in healthcare, Sandro brings nearly two decades of expertise spanning in business development, operations, talent acquisition, physician recruitment, and marketing with a proven track record of success across academic, acute care, and private practice settings.

In his current role, Sandro leads enterprise-wide recruitment strategies for a complex, integrated health system with 45,000 employees and 9,000 physicians. In close collaboration with senior leadership, he drives growth initiatives, explores new markets, and expands key service lines aligned with the system’s strategic goals.

Sandro is widely recognized as a collaborative leader and trusted advisor, committed to advancing physician recruitment excellence while supporting the next generation of healthcare professionals.