Holy Name appoints new chief medical officer after internal turmoil over race
A veteran doctor with years of experience in leading a New York City hospital has become the chief medical officer at Holy Name medical center in Teaneck, more than a year after internal turmoil led to the ouster of her popular predecessor.
Dr. Vasantha Kondamudi started on Monday and will oversee all clinical operations, including a new graduate-level medical education program, according to a press release posted on the hospital’s website.
"Dr. Kondamudi is known for her dedication to delivering the highest level of care, her stellar track record for patient safety, and her hands-on expertise training the next generation of clinicians," Michael Maron, Holy Name's president and CEO, said in a statement.
A Holy Name spokeswoman did not respond to requests for additional comment.
The appointment comes after Maron suspended former Chief Medical Officer Adam Jarrett in July 2021. Jarrett had told the hospital board that Maron had ordered him to take actions that were “immoral and illegal,” including a demand to “get rid of” a Black doctor Maron had called a “troublemaker," according to emails obtained by NorthJersey.com.
Jarrett became the face of the hospital during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, when Teaneck became the epicenter of the outbreak in North Jersey. Jarrett often appeared in local, regional and national news outlets as a calm, reassuring voice as the virus swept across New Jersey, killing more than 35,000.
More:Emails reveal how issues of race tore Holy Name leadership apart after battling COVID
More:Holy Name CEO affirms commitment to Black hospital staff, denies reports of racial dispute
In July 2021, Jarrett informed the hospital’s board of trustees about his concerns regarding a request from Maron to “get rid of” a Black physician who had asked the hospital to take a public stand in support of racial justice after the May 2020 killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer. Floyd's death sparked protests and reflection on racial injustice across the U.S.
After sharing his concerns, Jarrett was soon suspended.
In January 2022, Holy Name and Jarrett issued a brief joint statement that termed Jarrett’s concerns a “misunderstanding related to managerial direction.” The terms of his separation agreement were not disclosed.
Maron denied the allegations after they were made public in a NorthJersey.com article. In an email to staff that followed the article's publication, he said the hospital was "steadfastly committed to supporting Black staff members and all members of our diverse family of caregivers."
Kondamudi had been at The Brooklyn Hospital Center since 1994 and rose through the ranks of the 464-licensed-bed medical center. She most recently served as executive vice president, network physician executive and chief medical officer, overseeing the hospital's graduate medical education program, with more than 250 residents and fellows.
Kondamudi comes to Holy Name at a time when the hospital is planning a major expansion of its campus, an issue that has drawn opposition and court challenges from nearby homeowners. The construction plan calls for adding two hospital buildings, four medical office buildings, a day care center, a four-story parking structure and two expanded surface parking areas over 20 years.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Holy Name appoints new chief medical officer after turmoil
