AtlantiCare CEO Announces Retirement Following 40-Year Healthcare Career

Lori Herndon, who began her career as a critical care nurse within the system, became president and CEO of the New Jersey health system in 2016.

AtlantiCare has announced that its president and CEO intends to retire, ending her 40-year career with the New Jersey health system.

Lori Herndon first joined the health system as a critical care staff nurse in 1983. She has held several leadership roles within the system, including as hospital administrator, COO, and president and CEO, a role she has held since 2016.

"While we will miss her deeply, we respect her decision to cap her career on this milestone anniversary," David Goddard, AtlantiCare's board chair said in a statement. "On behalf of AtlantiCare and our entire community, the Board wants to sincerely thank Lori for dedicating her career to our organization and wish her all the best in her well-earned retirement. We will share plans for honoring her soon."

The health system's board has begun a search for Herndon's successor, who they are looking to "build upon AtlantiCare's success as an independent health system." The board said it will consider qualified candidates both internal and external of the health system.

"AtlantiCare has a strong and seasoned executive leadership team, and dedicated team members across the organization, to ensure a smooth transition to a new CEO with the right vision for our health system and the communities we serve," Goddard said. "We will seek a new leader to define and execute our strategic priorities for the future, with the same commitment to personalized health, healing, and wellness services that people expect from AtlantiCare."

Herndon will transition her responsibilities to her successor on May 31, and will support a smooth leadership transition until her retirement on June 30.

"Lori’s impact on AtlantiCare and her leadership in the hospital has been far-reaching. She has provided steady and solid leadership through the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic while expanding clinical services and programs in our region," Goddard said.

Over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, Herndon was a voice of leadership and guidance for the healthcare industry, the state of New Jersey, and the state department of health to "[make] sure that our workforce is safe and [make] sure that we are advocating for things that they need to do; their important work has been critical," Herndon told HealthLeaders in 2022.

In January 2022, Herndon was appointed as chair of the New Jersey Hospital Association, where over the past year she has worked to protect healthcare workers, redesign care delivery, and develop the workforce. She also introduced the Consider Kindness campaign, a campaign focusing on supporting healthcare providers.

"As many of you know, I began my career as a critical care nurse and enjoyed every opportunity to learn and grow over 40 years at AtlantiCare," Herndon said in a note to team members, according to a press release. "I care deeply about our AtlantiCare team, our patients, and our community. Our impact on the community and our patients we serve has been immeasurable and I will always be proud of working with our AtlantiCare team through some of healthcare’s most challenging times."