Shore Medical Center has presented its 2025 Surgical Chairman's Award to Cathy Bennett, President and CEO of the New Jersey Hospital Association (NJHA), recognizing her leadership and advocacy on behalf of independent community hospitals like Shore across the state and the country.

Presented annually by Shore's Department of Surgery for the past 20 years, the Surgical Chairman's Award honors individuals or organizations that have made a meaningful and lasting impact on Shore Medical Center and its mission. Bennett was recognized for her commitment to advocating for New Jersey hospitals in an increasingly complex healthcare environment-work that directly supports hospitals like Shore in delivering high-quality care to their communities.

Dr. John Millili, Surgical Chairman, opened the presentation by sharing the history and purpose of the award.

"The Surgical Chairman's Award was started by my predecessor, Dr. Galler, and is meant to honor individuals or organizations that have made a meaningful impact, not just on surgery, but on Shore Medical Center overall," said Dr. Millili.

"Healthcare today is incredibly complex," he said. "Those of us providing care on the front lines need strong partners who can see the bigger picture, who can pool resources, influence policy, and advocate for hospitals across our state and our nation. Cathy Bennett does exactly that."

As President and CEO of NJHA, Bennett also oversees its Health Research and Educational Trust of New Jersey, dedicated to advancing quality, safety, and research in healthcare.

"Her work helps hospitals like Shore-independent, community-based organizations-navigate an increasingly difficult healthcare landscape," Dr. Millili said. "For that, we are deeply grateful."

He then presented Bennett with the 2025 Surgical Chairman's Award.

A Voice for Independent Community Hospitals
Following the presentation, David Hughes, President and CEO of Shore Medical Center, spoke about Bennett's impact from a hospital leadership perspective.

"As much as we work every day to be a strong, independent hospital, we need a voice beyond our campus," Hughes said. "We need that voice in Trenton. We need that voice in Washington, D.C. Cathy is that voice for us."

Hughes shared his experience serving on the NJHA board, noting that Bennett's leadership exceeded expectations.

"I was blown away by her commitment, her leadership, and her ability to bring organizations of all sizes to the table," he said. "She ensures that independent community hospitals like Shore are heard alongside much larger systems. What she has done for healthcare in New Jersey is truly remarkable."

Commitment to Quality, Safety, and Advocacy
In her remarks, Bennett expressed gratitude for the honor and praised Shore Medical Center's commitment to quality and patient safety.

"I see your work," Bennett said. "Long before your Leapfrog "A" grades, Shore stood out in quality and safety reports. There has always been a steady focus on improvement, and it shows."

She highlighted how meaningful Shore's repeated Leapfrog "A" grades are, especially given New Jersey's unique participation model.

"New Jersey is the only state where every hospital submits data to Leapfrog every single year," she said. "It's not optional. That makes an 'A' even more meaningful, and you should be incredibly proud."

Bennett also reflected on the challenges hospitals have faced over the past year, calling it one of the most difficult periods healthcare has experienced.

"Despite limited resources, hospitals continue to care for their communities, keep people well, and make things work," she said. "And this year, advocacy mattered more than ever."

She cited NJHA's work on critical issues such as Medicaid funding protections, staffing legislation, healthcare cost benchmarks, and proposed sepsis legislation-efforts that depend on strong partnerships with hospital leaders willing to share real-world stories from their communities.

"Community hospitals bring these issues to life," Bennett said. "You know your patients. You see them in your neighborhoods. That perspective is invaluable."

She closed by thanking Shore Medical Center's leadership and staff for their partnership, advocacy, and unwavering commitment to patient care.