PRINCETON – Two lawmakers who championed a new law to protect healthcare workers from rising incidents of violence will be presented the New Jersey Hospital Association’s 2023 Legislator of the Year award: Assembly Majority Leader Louis Greenwald (D-Voorhees) and Sen. Troy Singleton (D-Moorestown).
The awards will be presented July 13 at NJHA’s Best at the Beach, a beachfront event celebrating the contributions of New Jersey’s healthcare community, to be held at Ocean Place Resort and Spa in Long Branch.
Majority Leader Greenwald and Sen. Singleton are the primary sponsors of the Health Care Heroes Violence Protection Act, which was strongly supported by NJHA and protects healthcare workers from violence and threats of violence through education and enhanced penalties. Gov. Murphy signed the measure into law in May.
An NJHA survey of hospitals last year showed that reports of violence and aggression toward healthcare workers increased 14.6% during the pandemic period, reaching nearly 10,000 incidents in 2021.
“Our healthcare teams support patients, their families and community members who may be afraid, in pain, stressed and often when they’re in crisis. Sometimes, those intense emotions are misdirected at our team members in the form of violence or aggression,” said NJHA President and CEO Cathy Bennett. “Majority Leader Greenwald and Sen. Singleton stood up to protect our healthcare heroes, sending a strong message that violence against healthcare workers is unacceptable and must stop.”
“In addition, both leaders are strong advocates for building the pipeline of much-needed healthcare professionals in the state, along with efforts to expand access to care,” said Bennett. “For their steadfast commitment to good health in the Garden State, NJHA is pleased to honor them among our Best at the Beach this year.”
Along with the Legislators of the Year, the evening’s top honors include the Lifetime Achievement Award presented to Gary Horan, FACHE, recently retired president and CEO of Trinitas Regional Medical Center, RWJBarnabas Health; the Distinguished Service Award to Tom Biga, executive vice president and president of the Northwest Region for RWJBarnabas Health, and Bob Segin, executive vice president and chief financial officer at Virtua Health; and the first-ever presentation of the Emeritus Prize to Lori Herndon of AtlantiCare, and Kevin Slavin of St. Joseph’s Health. Additional recognition to individuals and organizations include the Emerging Leader, Healthy New Jersey and Clinical Excellence awards.
NJHA’s Best at the Beach is open to all. Find additional details and registration information at www.njha.com/best-at-the-beach.
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