JOHN P. FERGUSON RECEIVES THE MEDICAL EXECUTIVE AWARD FROM THE ACADEMY OF MEDICINE OF NEW JERSEY

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John P. Ferguson (center), president and chief executive officer of Hackensack University Medical Center receives the Medical Executive Award from the Academy of Medicine of New Jersey. Presenting the award to Mr. Ferguson are John W. Sensakovic, M.D., Ph.D., president of the Academy of Medicine of New Jersey, left, and Bernard A. Rineberg, M.D., incoming president of the Academy of Medicine of New Jersey.

John P. Ferguson , president and chief executive officer of Hackensack University Medical Center received The Medical Executive Award from the Academy of Medicine of New Jersey at its Annual Awards Dinner held at the Chanticler in Short Hills on May 24.

The Medical Executive Award is presented to an individual with a fundamental interest in healthcare and a commitment to the enhancement of medical practice.

"The Academy of Medicine of New Jersey and its Board of Trustees are proud to honor John Ferguson with this most deserved recognition," said John W. Sensakovic, M.D., Ph.D., president of The Academy of Medicine of New Jersey. "John is truly an individual who embodies the meaning of this award," he added.

The Academy of Medicine of New Jersey, located in Princeton Junction, is an organization providing excellence in physician-directed, continuing medical education. The Academy provides executive and educational services for medically-related and specialty organizations and serves as a unifying and coordinating body for these groups.

Ralph J. Fioretti, M.D., a senior attending physician in the medical center's Department of Family Practice and a member of the New Jersey Academy of Medicine spoke highly of Mr. Ferguson's commitment to providing high quality healthcare. "Under John's direction, Hackesack University Medical Center has become one of the state's most respected healthcare institutions. His efforts have allowed the medical center to grow not only in the size and the scope of its programs and services but also in its reputation of providing the highest quality of care to those we serve," he said.

Most recently, under Mr. Ferguson's direction, the medical center became a New Jersey state-designated children's hospital and dedicated its new state-of the-art David Joseph Jurist Research Center for Tomorrows Children.

"It is both a privilege and an honor for me to accept this award," said Mr. Ferguson. "I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the Board of Trustees of The Academy of Medicine of New Jersey for their recognition of my commitment to the future of healthcare."

A graduate with a B.S. in economics from St. Peter's College, and an MBA in Healthcare Administration from George Washington University, Mr. Ferguson has served as president and chief executive officer of Hackensack University Medical Center since 1986.

He is Immediate Past Governor of District II of the American College of Healthcare Executives, as well as representative to the Council of Teaching Hospitals of the Association of American Medical Colleges Assembly. Mr. Ferguson is chairman of the board of the University Health System of New Jersey, is a commissioner of the Economic Development Commission of the City of Hackensack, a founding member of the Bergen County Economic Development Commission, and serves on the Board of Directors of Commerce Bank North. In 1999, Mr. Ferguson received the President's Award from the New Jersey State Nurses Association and more recently he was honored as Man of the Year by Boys Town of Italy.

Hackensack University Medical Center, the largest provider of inpatient and outpatient services in the state, is a teaching hospital affiliated with the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-New Jersey Medical School and is a member of the University Health System of New Jersey.