Julia Orlando has been elected as the chairperson for the board of trustees for Bergen New Bridge Medical Center, the state’s largest hospital, the organization announced Wednesday.
Orlando, who has decades of experience in the behavioral health, addiction and human services industries, has served on the Bergen New Bridge board since its inception in 2017. Orlando has served as director of the Bergen County Housing, Health and Human Services Center since 2009.
She is the first woman to serve as board chair at Bergen New Bridge.
Bergen New Bridge Medical Center is operated by not-for-profit Care Plus Bergen Inc., an innovative alliance between three world-class partners — Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Integrity House and Care Plus NJ Inc.
Orlando has been a member of the Care Plus Bergen Inc. board of trustees since its inception in 2017, and, during the 2020-2021 term, she served as secretary on the Executive Committee.
“I am honored and grateful for the opportunity to assume this role as I continue to advocate for an organization that is very near to my heart, particularly since its mission and core values are very much in line with my life’s work,” she said. “I look forward to working closely with President and CEO Deb Visconi and her entire team as we take Bergen New Bridge to the next level of growth and community partnerships.”
Visconi applauded the announcement.
“As a longtime advocate and supporter of Bergen New Bridge and a committed member of the Care Plus Bergen board, Julia has acquired a comprehensive understanding of the medical center’s mission and its vital role in the community,” she said. “There is no doubt she will be a tremendous asset to our leadership team as we continue to our efforts to diversify, develop and transform the medical center into a destination hospital for the diverse communities we serve.”
During her tenure at the Bergen County Housing, Health and Human Services Center, Orlando provided leadership for the communitywide effort that led Bergen County to become the first jurisdiction in New Jersey to end veteran homelessness and first in the nation to successfully reach functional zero for chronic homelessness. Under her direction, the Bergen County Housing, Health and Human Services Center has become a national model for best practices and success.
