In mid-March, Joseph Anton, RN, was named COO of Jersey City (N.J.) Medical Center, where he will oversee hospital daily operations to ensure efficiency and patient care.
Becker’s connected with Mr. Anton to discuss his plans to use his 13 years of executive-level experience to elevate care, streamline operations and foster a culture at the hospital that prioritizes both patient outcomes and team empowerment.
Editor’s note: Responses have been lightly edited for length and clarity.
Question: What are your top two or three priorities in your new role as COO? How do you plan to achieve them?
Joseph Anton: As COO of Jersey City Medical Center, my top priorities will be improving operational efficiency, enhancing care quality, elevating the patient experience, and driving the growth of key service lines. I will focus on streamlining workflows, identifying inefficiencies, and optimizing both clinical and administrative operations to improve productivity and reduce waste while ensuring we deliver high-quality, efficient, easily accessible care to residents of Hudson County. Enhancing patient care and experience will be a core focus. Continuing to prioritize patient safety, improving communication and creating an environment where patients feel heard and cared for will be essential.
Finally, driving the growth of key service lines will be critical to Jersey City Medical Center’s position as the leading provider of healthcare services in the region. Strengthening partnerships with local physicians, outpatient centers, and community organizations throughout Jersey City and Hudson County will expand our service offerings and improve access to care. By focusing on strategic growth and community engagement, we will attract more patients, enhance our services, and solidify Jersey City Medical Center’s reputation as a trusted healthcare provider in both Jersey City and the broader Hudson County community.
Q: How will you use your experiences and background to enhance key service lines?
JA: As Jersey City Medical Center’s COO, I bring a unique perspective, starting with my experience at the bedside as a nurse and with over 13 years of executive-level experience in a large academic health system. My operational expertise allows me to identify opportunities for improvement across a broad portfolio of responsibilities and within key service lines, including high-touch areas like our emergency departments, surgical services, neurosciences, cardiac and cancer services.
Q: What’s the best leadership advice you’ve received? How will you apply it in this new role?
JA: The best leadership advice I’ve received is a variation of the more recent quote: “Leadership is not about being in charge, it’s about taking care of those in your charge.” This concept of servant leadership has greatly influenced how I approach leadership roles.
In my new position as COO at Jersey City Medical Center, I plan to use this philosophy as my guide. It means prioritizing the well-being and success of my team while fostering an environment of trust and empowerment. To put this into practice, I will focus on building relationships with my team rather than solely relying on top-down decision-making. Listening to staff, understanding their challenges, and being approachable will help me create a more collaborative and supportive environment, which ultimately benefits hospital operations and patient care. Additionally, I believe strongly in the professional development of my team. I plan to mentor department leaders, empowering them to make decisions and drive improvements within their areas.
This will not only boost morale but also enhance the hospital’s overall performance, as employees will feel motivated and valued in their contributions to our mission. Communication will also be a key part of my leadership approach. Regular check-ins with department heads, creating opportunities for feedback, and ensuring staff at all levels feel heard will help promote transparency and foster a sense of ownership throughout the organization. By maintaining open lines of communication, I can ensure that strategic initiatives are executed effectively and that patient care continually improves.
