John P. Ferguson, former CEO of Hackensack (N.J.) University Medical Center, has been accused of recruiting Hackensack physicians to work for a rival hospital, according to a Record report.
Industry sources said Mr. Ferguson recruited Joseph DeGregorio, MD, and five of his colleagues to work at Englewood (N.J.) Hospital and Medical Center, according to the report. Dr. DeGregorio, chief of interventional cardiology and interventional research at Hackensack, was one of the most productive cardiologists at the hospital, performing approximately 700 angioplasties a year — more than double the amount of the second most productive cardiologist.
His move from Hackensack to Englewood escalates already intense competition between the hospitals. In a prepared statement, Hackensack officials said: "It is unfortunate that John P. Ferguson has chosen to consult with a local organization in a competitive manner — especially given that he had spent over two decades of his distinguished career building one of the largest and most influential healthcare organizations in the nation, only to now work against its continued success," according to the report.
During Mr. Ferguson's 23-year tenure as head of the hospital, he greatly improved Hackensack's reputation, patient volume and revenue. He resigned in 2009 after former state senator and hospital consultant Joseph Coniglio was convicted of directing state grants to the hospital.
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Industry sources said Mr. Ferguson recruited Joseph DeGregorio, MD, and five of his colleagues to work at Englewood (N.J.) Hospital and Medical Center, according to the report. Dr. DeGregorio, chief of interventional cardiology and interventional research at Hackensack, was one of the most productive cardiologists at the hospital, performing approximately 700 angioplasties a year — more than double the amount of the second most productive cardiologist.
His move from Hackensack to Englewood escalates already intense competition between the hospitals. In a prepared statement, Hackensack officials said: "It is unfortunate that John P. Ferguson has chosen to consult with a local organization in a competitive manner — especially given that he had spent over two decades of his distinguished career building one of the largest and most influential healthcare organizations in the nation, only to now work against its continued success," according to the report.
During Mr. Ferguson's 23-year tenure as head of the hospital, he greatly improved Hackensack's reputation, patient volume and revenue. He resigned in 2009 after former state senator and hospital consultant Joseph Coniglio was convicted of directing state grants to the hospital.
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