Piscataway-based Parker Health Group, Inc., a pioneer in the New Jersey aging services landscape, announced Thursday that Roberto Muñiz will retire as president and CEO by the end of 2026. His departure will mark the conclusion of a 28-year tenure defined by the radical transformation of senior care from institutionalized settings to person-centered “small home” environments.
Muñiz joined Parker in 1998, when the nonprofit operated just two nursing homes. Under his vision, the organization evolved into a massive integrated system that now supports more than 16,000 older adults annually across a full continuum of residential and home-based care.
Muñiz is widely credited with bringing the Small Home Model to New Jersey. This revolutionary approach replaced traditional, clinical nursing home wings with warm, household-style residences designed to foster dignity and independence.
Key milestones under Muñiz’s leadership:
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Parker Advanced Care Institute: Co-created with VNA Health Group to provide visiting physician services for homebound seniors.
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Parker Division of Geriatrics: Launched in 2023 at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School to bridge the gap between academic research and bedside care.
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Strategic Growth: Expanded Parker’s reach from serving 110 residents to a network that impacts thousands through adult day programs, child development centers, and mental health services.
Muñiz’s influence extends far beyond the Garden State. He recently chaired the Board of LeadingAge, representing over 5,000 nonprofit aging service providers nationwide. As a first-generation college student who moved to Elizabeth from Puerto Rico at age 14, Muñiz has used his platform to advocate for policies that address the looming “silver tsunami” as the Baby Boomer population ages.
“Parker has been my life’s work,” Muñiz said. “Together, we have built an exceptional and truly special organization that is strong, stable, and positioned for an even brighter future. This is the right moment for me to begin my next chapter.”
The Parker Board of Trustees has initiated a formal search for a successor. Muñiz intends to remain “fully and actively engaged” as president and CEO through the transition to ensure organizational stability.
