The New Jersey Hospital Association (NJHA) has named Eric Kaufmann as vice president and executive director of the Health Research and Educational Trust of New Jersey (HRET).
Kaufmann, a veteran of public service with over a decade of experience at the New Jersey Department of Human Services, will oversee HRET’s mission to advance healthcare through clinical research, patient safety initiatives, and professional education.
Kaufmann joins the NJHA affiliate after serving as senior advisor to the commissioner and acting chief financial officer for the N.J. Department of Human Services. During his tenure, he managed fiscal operations for critical programs including Medicaid, information technology, and mental health and addiction services.
“With his deep Medicaid policy and operational expertise, Eric is the ideal leader to grow our efforts to support health and wellness across New Jersey,” Cathy Bennett, president and CEO of NJHA said.
In his new role, Kaufmann will lead several key NJHA initiatives, including:
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The Garden State Patient Safety Center: Focused on improving clinical outcomes and reducing medical errors.
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Health Care Quality & Community Wellness: Programs designed to bridge the gap between hospital care and community health.
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Workforce Development: Educational programming to support the training and retention of New Jersey’s healthcare professionals.
“I am honored to lead HRET at a time when advancing accessible, affordable, and high-quality care is more important than ever,” Kaufmann stated. He emphasized that the Trust’s work, in partnership with providers and state agencies, is essential to creating real opportunities for better health outcomes statewide.
Kaufmann brings a diverse educational background to the position. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Rutgers University, a Law degree from Fordham University and a Master’s degree in Accounting from the University of Connecticut.
