Ms. McHugh leads the strategic delivery of experience, hospitality and people programs across Hackensack Meridian Health, with a focus on workforce planning, productivity and workforce excellence to support a standardized “One HMH” operating model. She oversees experience and people strategy for a network of 18 hospitals and more than 500 patient care locations, supported by more than 38,000 team members and 7,000 physicians. Under her leadership, the system implemented a multiyear engagement strategy that aligns leader, hospital and network goals and invests in leader development through in-person coaching sessions. Over two years, this focus contributed to a 25% reduction in voluntary turnover and more than 1,800 internal promotions, while achieving a nurse vacancy rate reported at half the national average. Ms. McHugh also advanced enterprise wellbeing programs spanning physical, emotional and financial health, including the “WeCare” peer support program and “Circle of Compassion” financial aid, and expanded workforce development through mentoring, tuition assistance and leadership programs. The organization’s culture and workforce performance have been reinforced by broad external recognition, including multiple Fortune workplace distinctions and national awards for community impact, health equity and sustainability.
