The New Jersey Hospital Association on Monday announced new additions to its policy and advocacy team, effective immediately, as the field focuses on meeting the state’s health needs on the road forward.
“Recent years have brought massive disruptive forces to health and health care, including high rates of inflation, skyrocketing expenses, and significant volume and revenue losses,” NJHA CEO and President Cathy Bennett said. “It is essential that New Jerseyans continue to have access to the highest quality, best-prepared health care system when they need it most. We are excited to have these talented and knowledgeable professionals joining our team to support our mission of improving the health of the people of New Jersey.”
Under the leadership of NJHA Chief Government Relations Officer Christine Stearns, the following professionals are joining NJHA:
- Shadaya Bennett is joining the NJHA team as director of government relations and policy. Bennett recently served as director of policy in the office of Senate Majority Leader M. Teresa Ruiz, where she managed legislative and state budget matters. Previously, she served as legislative director and chief of staff to Assemblywoman Shanique Speight, where she managed daily operations of the office and policy development.
- Carolyn Singer is joining NJHA as deputy director of government relations and policy. Singer is a highly accomplished communications professional with a demonstrated track record of success in political campaigns and public service. With her extensive experience as a communications director for New Jersey Sens. Linda Greenstein and Dawn Marie Addiego, she brings a wealth of expertise in strategic messaging and advocacy.
- Amber Lee Yurcisin also joins NJHA as a deputy director of government relations and policy, after nine years as administrator for the New Jersey State Laborers’ Political Action Committee. Recognized by Sen. Vin Gopal as a Labor Leader Honoree in 2019, she has extensive experience in federal, state and local campaign field operations, organized labor political trainings, planning and staffing events and campaign finances.
These new additions will be rounding out NJHA’s team that includes Omna Syed, newly promoted to senior policy analyst after three years at NJHA. NJHA’s Neil Eicher, vice president of policy, will lead NJHA’s focus on sound health care policy and regulatory issues.
