Featured FAN: Kenneth M. Morris, Jr., MHA, MA

Each quarter, we feature a Federal Action Network (FAN) member leading the charge on Capitol Hill to protect essential hospitals.

This quarter, we spoke with Kenneth Morris, Jr., MHA, MA, vice president, external affairs at St. Joseph's Health, in Paterson, N. J. He shared about his 45-year career at the health system, including collaborating with state senators and navigating recent policy changes.

What first captivated you about government processes and health care? Can you provide a bit of insight into your early career path?

My healthcare journey began 46 years ago as a Medical Illustrator at the College of Medicine and Dentistry, now known as University Hospital in Newark, New Jersey. After a year of honing my skills there, I received an invitation from the Chair of the medical staff at St. Joseph's Medical Center in Paterson-now St. Joseph's University Medical Center (SJUMC), the flagship facility of the St. Joseph's Health System-to create a groundbreaking medical illustration program.

Building this program from the ground up at a world-class hospital renowned for its exceptional culture of care was an extraordinary opportunity. My illustrations served to illuminate innovative surgical techniques for surgical residents and to help physicians at SJUMC explain complex procedures to patients. I was also honored to have my work featured in prestigious medical publications, including the esteemed New England Journal of Medicine.

After several fulfilling years as St. Joseph's Health's Medical Illustrator, I was approached by the then President and CEO with an exciting challenge-to establish a new department dedicated to community engagement and promoting health initiatives. It was during this pivotal time that I recognized the pressing need for advocacy at the local, state, and federal levels, given that we were one of New Jersey's essential hospitals serving a significant share of underserved populations. A few years later, I proudly took on the role of leading External Affairs at SJH, committed to amplifying the voices of those we served and driving positive change in our community.

You have a very interesting background, having served as a Councilman for the City of Paterson for over 23 years and counting. How does this bolster and inform your work with St. Joseph's?

I retired from the Paterson City Council in 2018, choosing not to seek reelection after an enriching 16-year tenure. During my three consecutive years as President of the municipal council, I found immense fulfillment in advocating for and representing the hopes and dreams of the vibrant community in New Jersey's third-largest city.

While I may no longer hold the honor of representing St. Joseph's University Medical Center's host city, the experiences I gained in advocacy and legislative development continue to inform my work. My agenda is passionately focused on expanding access to comprehensive diagnostic and treatment services, while ensuring that our over 5,000 esteemed physicians, Magnet®-recognized nurses, and dedicated clinical and administrative professionals possess the cultural competencies vital for serving our immensely diverse population. Many of these individuals are not only constituents of Paterson but also valued patients of SJUMC.

What keeps you at St. Joseph's after over 45 years? What is your favorite part of your day-to-day life in the role of VP of External Affairs? Do you have an advocacy achievement that you're most proud of that you'd like to highlight?

For more than a century, St. Joseph's Health has stood as a beacon of healthcare excellence, proudly sponsored by the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth since 1867. With a capacity of over 1,000 beds across our network, our flagship facility-St. Joseph's University Medical Center-serves as a prominent academic medical and trauma center, also recognized as a State-designated specialized children's hospital. In addition, St. Joseph's Wayne Medical Center in Wayne, New Jersey, is a vital 229-bed acute care community hospital dedicated to serving our local population.

Visiting Health Services of New Jersey exemplifies our commitment to care by providing vital healthcare services to individuals unable to leave their homes. We operate a robust network of outpatient facilities and affiliated physician practices. Our Totowa Health Campus stands as a modern center for health, offering urgent care, specialty services, primary care, and comprehensive oncology care. Notably, our medical center features the fifth busiest emergency department in the United States.

As a proud member of a team comprising over 5,000 dedicated professionals at St. Joseph's Health, I am a servant leader deeply passionate about our mission. Together, we are committed to ensuring that we continue to play an indispensable role in delivering essential services to New Jersey's most vulnerable patients, embodying compassion and excellence in every aspect of our care.

I am deeply appreciative of the strides we have made in our advocacy work, in collaboration with our legislative partners, to ensure that SJUMC receives the recognition and financial backing it deserves for the vital care we provide to New Jersey's most vulnerable populations: the poor, uninsured, and underinsured. This support is essential, fueled by state-directed payment programs, steady charity care funding, and enhanced investments in Trauma Graduate Medical Education (GME).

I take immense pride in the accomplishments of my team and me as we have successfully secured legislation and funding for critical initiatives, including hospital-based violence intervention programs and expanded access to mental health services during the challenging days of the COVID pandemic. Our efforts to navigate Medicaid redetermination have also been instrumental.

Moreover, we are proud to have pioneered the creation of 56 units of affordable supportive housing, a groundbreaking project that stands as a testament to our commitment to community well-being. Nestled less than 300 yards from our front door, the Barclay Place Supportive Housing Project seamlessly merges affordable housing with vital services, offering stability, autonomy, and dignity to individuals confronting complex medical challenges.

This innovative project features one-, two-, and three-bedroom units, complemented by two expansive community rooms, a fully equipped gym, a rooftop terrace for relaxation and connection, and a commercial kitchen where residents can learn to prepare nutritious meals. Designed with foresight, this housing not only meets current needs but also allows tenants to age in place with grace and comfort.

What about your role at St. Joseph's is the most challenging in this current climate?

Urban safety-net hospitals are well-acquainted with navigating challenges, uncertainty, and disruptions in the healthcare landscape. SJH is fortunate that our mission provides a solid foundation, guiding the compassionate care we extend to our patients. Our unwavering commitment is to serve those who need our support the most.

In light of the unpredictable circumstances we face, I prioritize open communication with industry leaders and our state and federal officials. This ongoing collaboration ensures that I am equipped with the vital information necessary to remain agile, allowing SJH to swiftly adapt to any obstacles that may threaten our ability to care for our patients.

The most formidable aspect of this endeavor is the rapid evolution of recent healthcare policy changes, which often come with long-term ramifications. This pace of change makes it challenging to foresee their ultimate impact on our institution. The key to overcoming these challenges lies in staying informed, thoughtfully evaluating our circumstances, and seeking insights from a diverse array of trusted sources, regardless of their backgrounds. Ultimately, our strength is built on our ability to remain adaptable and responsive to the needs of those we serve.

What about New Jersey is most unique or surprising to you regarding its federal delegation/leadership in the past 5 years (given your institutional knowledge in working with lawmakers, how has this changed)?

New Jersey's political landscape has undergone a remarkable transformation, ushering in significant changes within its federal delegation and creating vacancies in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. We are fortunate to have many talented individuals stepping forward to represent one of the most densely populated and diverse states in the nation.

I have had the honor of collaborating with Senator Pou, who previously represented the 35th Legislative District before taking on the esteemed role of filling the 9th Congressional District seat once held by the late, great Congressman Pascrell. Together, we have made substantial strides in implementing healthcare policies that genuinely address the needs of her constituents, and our shared commitment continues to flourish in her new capacity as a member of the House of Representatives.

In addition, Senator Kim, New Jersey's newest Senator, has emerged as a formidable ally and passionate advocate for the vulnerable patients we serve. Alongside Senator Booker, he continues to forge strong partnerships with SJH, ensuring that we have the necessary resources to invest in our aging infrastructure, enhance access to care, and cultivate innovative programs that will not only improve the quality of care but also increase accessibility and reduce costs for all. I look forward to collaborating with our entire New Jersey delegation, on both sides of the aisle, to ensure that we continue to provide essential care to our patients.

How does America's Essential Hospitals support the advocacy work that you all are doing? What do you enjoy most about serving on the Essential Hospitals PAC Board?

AEH plays a vital role in bolstering my advocacy efforts on the federal level, particularly in addressing the unique financial challenges that urban safety-net hospitals face. Through our partnership with the dedicated AEH team, we have successfully navigated federal health policies to ensure they do not disadvantage our patients. Our collaboration goes far beyond securing fair reimbursements from Medicare and Medicaid for low-income individuals; it is also pivotal in preventing harmful DSH cuts that impact our ability to care for uninsured patients, as well as in defending the critical 340B program. AEH amplifies our voice on the national stage, ensuring that policymakers recognize the essential services we provide to vulnerable populations.

This robust partnership, coupled with my role on the AEH PAC Board, empowers me to shape our advocacy agenda directly by supporting elected officials and policies that safeguard our patients, funding sources, and access to care. I cherish the opportunity to network and forge relationships with fellow hospital leaders, which enriches my professional journey and hones my leadership abilities. Being part of the PAC not only underscores my institution's commitment to civic engagement and advocacy, but it also enhances our credibility with lawmakers and stakeholders, reinforcing our mission to serve those in need.