The merger between Barnabas Health and Robert Wood Johnson would create the largest health provider chain in the state.
TRENTON -- Four new leaders have been appointed to key positions at Robert Wood Johnson University Health, a sign that the state's largest hospital merger with Barnabas Health is imminent.
Amy B. Mansue, the president and CEO of Children's Specialized Hospital, and Stephen K. Jones, president and CEO of Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital's New Brunswick and Somerville campuses, have stepped down.
Mansue will be president of the new Southern Division of the soon-to-be merged hospital network RWJ Barnabas Health. Jones will be chief academic officer for the new company, according to separate announcements on Wednesday.
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Warren E. Moore, the chief operating officer for Children's Specialized Hospital for nine years, will take over for Mansue as president and CEO, according to the announcement.
Michael Antoniades of Monroe, the executive vice president and chief operating officer will succeed Jones as CEO.
Neither announcement disclosed the status of the merger review by the state and the negotiations between the two large chains, which will unite a workforce of 30,000 employees, 9,000 physicians and 1,000 interns and residents.
"We have stated all along that we would announce new leaders throughout both administrations as we continue to move toward uniting our two organizations into one comprehensive health system. This is simply the next step," Children's Specialized Hospital spokeswoman Rebecca Mazzarella said.
The move is seen by industry experts as a way to strengthen their bargaining position with insurance companies in the state, and a means to weather the changes created by the Affordable Care Act's emphasis away from inpatient care.
Mansue called Moore "a tremendous leader whose strategic vision and focus on innovation has played a central role in the growth of Children's Specialized Hospital." She credited Moore with boosting the hospital's national reputation and reach. The hospital served 28,000 children from 13 locations throughout New Jersey last year.
Moore will continue to serve as the chief administrative officer at Bristol-Myers Squibb Children's Hospital also affiliated with Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, according to the announcement.
"Every day I am inspired by the incredible children and families we serve" at both children's hospitals, Moore said. "I am excited to work with our outstanding clinicians, employees, medical staff and community partners to create a world where all children can achieve their full potential."
Jack Morris, a real estate developer who chairs RWJ's Board of Directors, praised Antoniades with building "strong partnerships with our partners at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey and our private physicians in the community."
Antoniades joined RWJ in 2011 as vice president for operations, and has helped develop the Bristol-Myers Squibb Children's Hospital as well as the hospital's cardiac, kidney, and pancreas programs.
Barnabas operates Clara Maass Medical Center in Belleville, Community Medical Center in Toms River, Jersey City Medical Center, Monmouth Medical Centers in Long Branch and Lakewood, Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in Newark, Saint Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston and two children's hospitals. Barnabas also has a consulting agreement with University Hospital in Newark.
Robert Wood Johnson operates hospitals in Somerville, Hamilton, Rahway, and its flagship hospital in New Brunswick also serves as the clinical campus of the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, and home to The Cancer Institute of New Jersey and the two children's hospitals.
Susan K. Livio may be reached at slivio@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @SusanKLivio. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.