Laura Ann Kelly, a founding member of the Morristown-based law firm, Donnelly, Minter & Kelly, LLC, was named as the new Board Chair for Atlantic Health System. Kelly will take over for Robert McCracken who is stepping down at the end of the month.
Longstanding trustee, Richard Herbst, will assume the role of vice chair.
Kelly has served as vice chair for the Board since 2022 and as chair of the Governance Committee for the last five years, overseeing trustee recruitment, education and engagement and providing strategic guidance for Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG) and charitable giving initiatives.
An Atlantic Health System trustee since 2014, she formerly served as a governing board member for Chilton Medical Center and sat on its community advisory board from 2009 to 2017.
“Our patients and team members are fortunate to have a leader as dedicated and experienced as Laura Ann Kelly at the helm of our Board of Trustees,” Brian Gragnolati, president and CEO, Atlantic Health System said. “For over a decade, it has been my honor to work alongside her to improve the well-being of our broad community. Her insight and sound counsel will strengthen the strategic direction and alignment of our health system for years to come.”
Kelly’s law practice focuses on trust and estate planning for high-net-worth individuals, along with administration and succession planning for closely held businesses. Her expertise in counseling clients on philanthropic goals and nonprofit corporate governance has been invaluable during her tenure on the Atlantic Health Board.
McCracken will transition to the role of immediate past chair at the end of May, after four successful years as chair. A board member since 2011, McCracken has advanced Atlantic Health’s mission to build healthier communities through longstanding service as Governance Chair and as Chair of the Board’s Executive Committee.
BINJE to launch print/digital edition
In just three weeks, BINJE has taken tremendous strides to become the boldest and most trusted voice in New Jersey business journalism. And of course — none of this would be possible without you.
In June, we are going to launch our first print/digital edition. Click here to learn how you can support this launch.
Formerly Board Chair of Newton Memorial Hospital and the Newton Medical Center Advisory Board, McCracken is former owner and President of Smith-McCracken and Wood Funeral Homes. He sits on the Board of Directors of Provident Financial Services, Inc. and is a member of its Audit, Compensation & Human Capital Committee, as well as its Governance & Nominating Committee.
As Kelly transitions to the board chair role, one of her first duties will be welcoming the system’s new Chief Executive Officer. Expressing enthusiasm for her expanding leadership responsibilities, she noted her excitement and gratitude for the “opportunity to step into Bob McCracken’s very big shoes in ensuring extraordinary care for patients and families across our rapidly growing region.” She extended her “profound thanks to Bob for his tireless leadership as Board Chair and previously as Governance Chair,” and shared her optimism for what she sees as “tremendous potential for healthier communities across New Jersey, thanks to the outstanding talent and compassion of the Atlantic Health System team.”
