New Brunswick, N.J. – March 1, 2022: Saint Peter’s Healthcare System will honor its 2022 Healthcare Champions at its annual gala to be held on Thursday, March 10 at 5:30 PM at The Palace at Somerset. This year’s gala honors the following designees for their service and dedication to Saint Peter’s, its patients and the community at large:
2022 Bishop’s Award Honoree
Consulting & Municipal Engineers (CME) Associates
2022 Physician Appreciation Award Honorees
Amar Bukhari, MD, chief of the Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Saint Peter’s University Hospital
Henry Redel, MD, of ID Care, chief of Infectious Disease, Saint Peter’s University Hospital
2022 Nursing Appreciation Award Honoree
Linda Carroll, MSN, RN, RN-BC, vice president of Patient Care Services and chief nursing officer, Saint Peter’s Healthcare System
Consulting & Municipal Engineers (CME) Associates, located in Parlin, is being honored for its ongoing commitment to the community and Saint Peter’s University Hospital. Through the years, CME Associates has supported multiple hospital projects including the expansion and modernization of the Emergency Department. They have also offered tremendous support to the hospital during the COVID pandemic by providing personal protective equipment such as N95 masks as well as meals to employees.
CME Associates also supports many charities in the community by encouraging employee involvement. Activities have included hosting a sock and glove drive to support a local homeless shelter; volunteering at a local parish carnival; and participating in Pink Out Day to support breast cancer research.
“Support from our community partners is critical to Saint Peter’s growth,” said James S. Choma, vice president for Catholic Mission and chief development officer of Saint Peter's Healthcare System. “We are grateful to CME Associates for their partnership in helping us deliver quality care to patients entrusted to Saint Peter’s care.”
Amar Bukhari MD, of South Brunswick, chief of the Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine at Saint Peter’s University Hospital, will receive the 2022 Physician Appreciation Award for his leadership on the frontlines during the COVID-19 pandemic. At the height of the crisis, Dr. Bukhari led seven specialized COVID physician teams at Saint Peter’s, quickly assembling these specialized teams that included infectious disease specialists, primary care physicians and hospitalists, pulmonologists and medical residents. His vision and execution enabled primary care physicians and hospitalists to address COVID-related issues and underlying health conditions such as diabetes, while pulmonologists would focus on the many lung-related issues of patients, many of whom were placed on ventilators as part of their treatment. This model allowed residents to then be available to connect all aspects of care. Pharmacists also served on the teams, developing and updating protocols as new information was processed, and cardiologists became involved when it was determined there were underlying cardiac issues. Dr. Bukhari’s calm during crisis was the leadership that inspired all team members.
In addition, Dr. Bukhari is being recognized for his many years of service at Saint Peter’s including his role on the hospital’s ethics committee and leadership in educating residents along with the establishment of a highly respected fellowship program.
Also recognized with this year’s Physician Appreciation Award is Henry Redel, MD, of Princeton, a physician with ID Care and chief of Infectious Disease at Saint Peter’s University Hospital. Dr. Redel was the lead physician on the COVID-19 multidisciplinary team at Saint Peter’s. In this capacity he collaborated with other team members including primary care physicians and hospitalists, pulmonologists, medical residents, pharmacists, cardiologists, respiratory therapists, and nurses. At the start of the pandemic, Dr. Redel had just taken the helm as Saint Peter’s newly appointed chief of Infectious Disease, yet he wasted no time exhibiting his leadership skills, delivering an unwavering commitment to patients while offering clear direction to the multidisciplinary team, support staff, community physicians and senior leadership seeking his counsel in a time of uncertainty. From a young age, Dr. Redel knew that he wanted to have a positive impact on people’s daily lives. When he had the opportunity to train in Kenya and Uganda, he saw firsthand the global impact of infectious diseases. He continues to enjoy the challenge of identifying infection-causing organisms, working to help patients live healthier, complete lives.
Recognized with the Nursing Appreciation Award, Linda Carroll, MSN, RN, RN-BC, of Colonia, vice president of Patient Care Services and chief nursing officer, has been at Saint Peter’s for 38 years
. The COVID-19 pandemic brought many unforeseen challenges to healthcare workers, especially nurses. It was her leadership and fierce advocacy for her colleagues that guided them through what many have described as the most challenging time in their careers. During the pandemic, many nurses were re-deployed to new assignments, adjusting to new responsibilities, yet always responding to the challenges with grace and determination. At the height of the pandemic, Carroll played a critical role in formalizing processes and clinical care protocols, including nursing and staff education about infection prevention policies, and providing timely communication throughout the organization.
During her tenure, Saint Peter’s has received numerous quality recognitions including a sixth consecutive Magnet® designation for nursing excellence from the American Nurses Credentialing Center of the American Nurses Association – becoming one of only five hospitals worldwide to do so; a sixth consecutive Beacon Award for nursing excellence for Saint Peter’s Intensive Care Unit from the American Association of Critical Care Nurses; and most recently its ninth consecutive CNOR Strong® designation recognizing operating room nurses for advancing their knowledge and skills. Saint Peter’s was also the recipient of the 2021 Clinical Healthy Work Environment Award presented by Sigma Theta Tau, an organization that empowers nursing leaders to transform global healthcare. The award recognizes and honors a clinical facility that demonstrates commitment in promoting a healthy work environment and excellence in healthcare outcomes. The organization was also honored with the 2021 Theodore Roosevelt Workers’ Compensation and Disability Management Award (Teddy Award) for its employee advocacy approach to workplace safety and employee health and wellness.
“I am so proud of each and every member of the Saint Peter’s family,” said Leslie D. Hirsch, FACHE, president and CEO of Saint Peter’s Healthcare System. “The pandemic tested all of us over the past two years, especially our collective spirit and resolve, in a way that was unprecedented. The dedication and commitment of individuals like Dr. Bukhari, Dr. Redel and Linda Carroll allowed us to meet every challenge irrespective of the magnitude while always keeping the care of our patients, their families and the greater community as our highest priority. The hallmark of Saint Peter’s is what they live every day: delivering that unique combination of clinical excellence and compassionate care.”
All proceeds from Saint Peter’s Gala will directly benefit Saint Peter’s University Hospital. For more information, please go to
https://www.saintpetershcs.com/Donate/Foundation-Events
About Saint Peter’s Healthcare System
Saint Peter’s Healthcare System Inc., parent company of the Saint Peter’s healthcare delivery system, is comprised of Saint Peter’s University Hospital, a 478-bed acute-care teaching hospital and state-designated children’s hospital and regional perinatal center that includes a nationally renowned Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit; Saint Peter’s Foundation, the fundraising arm of the hospital; Saint Peter’s Health and Management Services Corp., which oversees outpatient facilities, including the CARES Surgicenter; and Saint Peter’s Physician Associates, a network of primary and specialty care physician practices. Saint Peter’s is a regional specialist in cancer care, diabetes, geriatrics, orthopedics, bariatric surgery and head and neck surgery and is a sponsor of residency programs in obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, and internal medicine. Saint Peter’s is sponsored by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Metuchen and is a major clinical affiliate of Rutgers Biomedical Health and Sciences. Visit saintpetershcs.com or call 732-745-8600.